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 tlie Cornell University Library. 
 
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 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924029254856 
 
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 -1 
 
 
 
REV. ROBERT F. LAWRENCE. 
 
THE 
 
 NEW HAMPSHIB,E CHURCHES: 
 
 COMPRISING HISTORIES OF THE 
 
 dtluixles ill t\t §tate, 
 
 WITH NOTICES OF 
 
 OTHEE DENOMmATIONS ; 
 
 CONTAINING MANY INTERESTING INCIDENTS CONNECTED 
 
 WITH THE FIRST SETTLEMENT OF 
 
 TOWNS. 
 
 And the glory of children are their fathers. — Prov. iTli. 0. 
 
 By ROBERT F, lAWRENCE, 
 
 Pastor of the Con.gregational Cliurch m Glaromont : 
 Author of 'Lecturea to Youth.' 
 
 PUBLISHED FOIt THE AUTHOE : 
 
 OFFICE OF THE CLAREMONT P0"\VER-PRES3 N. W. GODDAEC, TEINTER 
 
 1856. 
 
L-,w*.^,■vv^.'v^'^ 
 
 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by 
 
 ROBERT F. LAWEENCE. 
 
 In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of (he District of 
 New Hampshire. 
 
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 IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, 
 
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 -UMa^xJlA) /YU,wti> a/I'll) m m>. MxxAwAvona) . 
 
ADDEESS, 
 
 EXPLANATORY AND COMPLIMENTARY. 
 
 Tkis work is, in some sense, the first of the kind. It 
 attempts to combine matters of interest to the general 
 reader with statistics — the History and the Gazetteer. To 
 my own mind it has often occurred as remarkable that 
 Gazetteers, filled with descriptions of mountains and vales, 
 of animals, of agriculture and manufactures, should be so 
 generally demanded, and that books presenting the purely 
 religious aspects of different towns should not also have 
 been furnished. It is the object of tliis book to meet this 
 want. And it is believed that the thrilling accounts of 
 revival scenes that will be found here, will give the book a 
 lasting place in every family where it once enters. 
 
 On presenting the plan to the General Association at 
 Derry in 1854, they unanimously passed the following reso- 
 lution : — 
 
 " Eesolved, That this Association approve of the proposi- 
 tion to prepare a Historical Manual of the Congregational 
 and Presbyterian churches of New Hampshire, and that it 
 be recommended to the ministers and churches to second the 
 imdertaking so far as practicable." 
 
 Although my labor in the preparation of this work has 
 been arduous, I have no wish to withhold due acknowledg- 
 ments of aid from others. A response to the call for coope- 
 ration has been given far beyond my most sanguine expect- 
 ations. And in sending forth and receiving more than 
 eight hundred letters and circulars, it is pleasant to remem- 
 ber that no words but such as love fraternal would dictate, 
 are in the correspondence. For this forbearance and uni- 
 form cordial greeting among my brethren, I now record 
 my deep sense of obligation. 
 
VI ADDRESS. 
 
 It has seemed most fitting, althougli a deviation from the 
 original plan, to prefix the name of the minister officiating, 
 to each history, and he is to be understood as furnishing the 
 main facts in the sketch, unless notice otherwise is given. 
 But I have abridged, corrected, or enlarged the sketches 
 with all the freedom which was at first proposed. Some of 
 the histories are almost untouched by my hand ; upon some, 
 much labor has been bestowed ; some, not otherwise cred- 
 ited, are my own gleanings from the best sources of infor- 
 mation within my reach. Any commendatory ivords, relat- 
 ing to present incumbents in office, may safely be attributed 
 to me whether the name of the minister stand at the begin- 
 ning or not. 
 
 The difficulties attending the preparation of this book 
 can be known only to those who have engaged in similar 
 labors, and from such men the author has no fear that severe 
 blows will be dealt upon his head for the inaccuracies which 
 will doubtless more or less abundantly be found in these 
 pages. Others, if they should be disposed to criticise harsh- 
 ly, are desired to deal awhile in statistics, and they will 
 appreciate the remark of Farmer and Moore in reference to 
 their Gazetteer — " To escape errors is impossible." The 
 writers of the sketches being at a distance and numerous, I 
 have often found myself at a loss in the spelling of a name, 
 the accuracy of a date, or in reference to the sujjpression of 
 a remark or the change of a term for the sake of euphony 
 or better sense. In some cases, letters have been written to 
 secure accuracy in the smallest matters. Statistical Tables 
 and some essays on particular topics, that were thought of 
 for the book, are crowded out by the fullness of the histories 
 — a very happy change, all luill admit. 
 
 The chief sources of knowledge which have been referred 
 to by myself and others may as well be indicated here, and 
 thus save the reader the embarrassment of notes as he passes 
 along. These are — " The New Hampshire Repository," 
 pubhshed a few years at Clilmanton, in which are Minutes 
 of ministers and churches in several counties ; " Belknap's 
 History;" "Powers' History of Coos;" "Farmer and 
 
ADDRESS. VU 
 
 Moore's Gazetteer," and " Historiccal Collections ;" Histo- 
 ries of particular towns ^where they exist, and historical 
 discourses ; town and church records, and the memory of 
 aged but sound-minded persons ; the Minutes of Greneral 
 Association, and the Keports of the N. H. Home Missionaiy 
 Society. The Missionary reports are replete with historical 
 matter for the historian of a later day. 
 
 Special acknowledgments are due to Rev. Z. S. Barstow, 
 D.D. of Keene, who sent in sketches of twenty three towns 
 in Cheshire, under his own hand, several of which have been 
 adojited entire, and the rest have aided in perfecting the 
 sketches furnished by others. But he accompanied his 
 manuscript with the generous intimation that, for his labor 
 he asked "iieither profit nor credit," To Eev. John M. 
 Wliiton, D.D., Eev. N. Bouton, D.D., Eev. J. French, D.D., 
 Eev. H. Moore, D.D., Eev. J. Eichards, D.D., Eev. B. P. 
 Stone, D.D., Eev. John Woods, Eev. J. G. Davis, Eev. A. 
 Tobey, Eev. E. H. Greely, Eev. I. Willey, Eev. S. C, Bart- 
 lett, Hon. M. C. McClure, and Mr. Thos. Scott Pearson, are 
 many thanks presented for their cooperation in various ways. 
 Nor is it fit here to forget the liberality of the Claremont 
 Manufacturing Co. in giving me much more favorable terms, 
 in this uncommon, clerical adventure, than could be secured 
 elsewhere, or the kindness of the printer and his excellent 
 lady, in reading and re-reading these pages with all the 
 interest of parties concerned. And an allusion may be 
 pardoned to the faithful cooperation of " the pastor's wife," 
 while he has eontinued, though, as she thought, at the peril 
 of life, for the last four months to pursue his work, night 
 after night, week in and out, until twelve, two, or three 
 o'clock. But " One there is above all others," to whom 
 acknowledgments are due. The work was greater than 
 could be estimated beforehand ; but the time was limited, 
 and it must be done. 
 
 The reader will notice, I think, a happy variety in these 
 histories. Some are full, some are brief Even the action 
 of towns in procuring the estabhshment of the gospel is 
 greatly varied. The ways and means are not identical in 
 
VUl ADDRESS. 
 
 any two instances. And the very rejietition of the general 
 fact, that, in most towns one of the first tilings clone was to 
 secure the teachings of the ministry, impresses the mind, 
 that here is the secret of New England's moral and intellec- 
 tual power. No other nation was ever thus jjlanted, and 
 the example is now so generally followed by the first settlers 
 in our new territories that we forget where the example was 
 set, and that this New England element is as leaven spread- 
 ing everywhere. Two or three, or one true descendant of 
 such sires will move almost any new community to build a 
 house for God. 
 
 E. F. LAWEENCE. 
 Claremont, March 4th, 1856. 
 
 ERRATA. — Page 13, for "Wentworth" read IVintkrop. Page 223, for " 1718 " read 
 1720, and for " 1735 " read 1737. Page 471, near ihe lop, for " Smith" read Abraham.— 
 Paffe 589, for " Eaton B." read Eden B. 
 
THE 
 
 NEW HAMPSHIRE CHURCHES. 
 
 FIRST SETTLEMENT OF THE STATE. 
 
 In 1623, Edward Hilton and William Hilton, frnm London, 
 accompanied l)y David Thompson of Scotland, made the first 
 settlement in New Hampsliire. For eigh.tecn years after- 
 wards, during which several Plantations were established, 
 the people were ruled by men appointed liy the proprietors 
 or by magistrates of their own appointment. They were 
 united to Massachusetts in 1641, and remained so till they 
 became a Province in 1680. They were again connected 
 with Massachusetts about three years fr<:)m 1689, and under 
 the jurisdiction of New York for three }'cars from 1699. — 
 In 1702 Massachusetts and New Hamjisliire came once more 
 under the same government. This continued until 1741 when 
 they were finally separated. The name. New Hampshire, was 
 given by John Mason, to whom a portion of it was granted 
 in 162?, after Hainpshire, in England, the county from which 
 he came. The first house in the State was erected at what 
 was called Little Harbor, very near the mouth and on the 
 west side of the Piscataqua liver, although Hilton settled at 
 Dover. The settlements did not progress very i-apidly for 
 nearly a century, 
 
 THE PURITANS. 
 
 There is a marked difference to be observed between the 
 causes winch moved the first settlers of New-England, es- 
 pecially the colonists at Pljanonth, and those v.diich usually 
 urge men to seek a home in a foreign land. Ecligious 
 principle, and the enjoyment of free worslii]t and thought, 
 were the objects in view with the Leyden adventurer.s.. It 
 2 
 
10 
 
 THE PURITANS. 
 
 was not to increase their worldly comforts, but to have free 
 communion with God and one another, that they rushed into 
 the savage wilds of the western world. Lord Brougliam of 
 England says, ''The greater part of them viewed their emi- 
 gration as taking uj^ the cross, and bounded their hojjcs of 
 wealth by the gifts of the Spirit. A set of men more con- 
 scientious in their doings, or simple in their manners, never 
 founded any commonwealth." They were mainly from the 
 north of England, where they were organized in the reign 
 of Elizabeth, and received their now honored name as a term 
 of rejiroach. Says Ncal in his history, "If a man main- 
 tained his steady adherence to the doctrines of Calvin and 
 the Synod of Dort ; if he kej^t the Sahbath, and frequented 
 sermons; if he maintained family religion, and ivould 
 neither siuear nor he clrunh, nor comply luith the feishionable 
 vices of the times, he tvas ccdled a puiutan." No wonder 
 they wished to escape to the wilderness, to "preserve the 
 morals of their youth, to prevent them through want of 
 employment from engaging in business unfriendly to religion," 
 as well as to escape persecution, and to carry the gospel to 
 distant parts. 
 
 Few emigrating parties manifest their spirit. As they 
 were about to depart, they kept a day of humiliation, fasting 
 and prayer. Ecv. John. Robinson had received an educa- 
 tion at <jne of the universities of England, and was esteemed 
 while residing at Leyden, by the city and university, as "a 
 man of uncommon learning, ])iety, moderation and excellent 
 accomplishments." He was their pastor. As a part of them 
 only could go at this time, he remained. When they were 
 all on board, "their reverend pastor, tailing down on his 
 knees, and they all with him, he, with watery cheeks, com- 
 mended them with most fervent prayers unto the Lord and 
 his IJessing; and then with mutual embraces and many 
 tears, they took leave one of another." Here was religious 
 principle and love of "freedom to worship God." 
 
 Reproach has been cast upon Congregationalism because 
 it has no "orders" in the ministry, and because it makes no 
 attempt to trace "the succession" back in a visible line to 
 the Apostles. But to this it is a sufficient reply to say, 
 that the system of church organization which is most con- 
 formed to the scripture standard is the most desirable, and 
 least deserving, although not least certain, of contumely. — 
 And the opposition wlrich is raised against the notion of the 
 parity of ministers, does not rest, among those who exhibit 
 it, so much upon scripture testimony, as upon the practice 
 of tlie churches after disorders crept in among them. In 
 
Tnn PURITANS. 11 
 
 scripture history, wo Jiud no assigiiinent of men to various 
 orders in the ministry, after the days of the Apostles. A 
 variety of gifts there were, hnt all by "one Spirit," and 
 imparted unto them as brethren, not as superiors one above 
 another. It is not a little rernarkalile that, after finding the 
 Congregational form of church polity in the scriptures, and 
 ado}iting it amid all the grades of ecclesiastical power as- 
 siuued in the old world, a polity not fully lirought out even 
 by Luther and CaMn themselves, the Pilgrims should also 
 adopt the fundamental principles of this system, I mean 
 the princi]de that, " tlw majorihj should govern," before they 
 left the May-Flower ; and that, introduced into their civil 
 and ecclesiastical go\'ernnients, it sliould now be found sway- 
 ing a nation whose territory is "from sea to sea," and whose 
 power in moulding the thoughts of the world, is second to 
 none. It is remarkable, to see all other systems which in 
 form seem to conflict with tliis, laboring to convince the 
 people, that they approve the spirit of the sentiment uttered 
 by the Lord Jesus, "«?^ ye are brethren." But the simplic- 
 ity of the forms of worship, and of the church polity of the 
 New Testament, cannot but occm- to the carefid reader. — 
 The following descrijition of the early churches, is from 
 Bunsen's work on the Primitive Church. He is a Prussian, 
 late ambassador to England, a man of rare attainments and 
 research. He says, "Every town congregation of ancient 
 Christianity, the constitutions of which we have to delineate, 
 was a Church. - The Constituti(jn of that Church was a Con- 
 gregational Constitution. In St. Paul's Epistles, in the 
 writings of Clemens llomanus, of Ignatius, and of Polycarp, 
 the Congregation is the highest organ of the spirit as well 
 as power of the Church. It is the body of Christ, the em- 
 bodirjient of the person of Jesus tif Nazareth in the Society 
 which was founded liy him, and through faith in him. This 
 congregation was governed and dirceted l)y a Council (}f Elders, 
 wliich Congregational Council at a later period, was presided 
 over in most clmrches, by a governing Overseer, the Bishop. 
 But the ultimate decision, in important emergencies, rested 
 with the whole congregation. The Bishop and Elders were 
 superintending members, — its guides but not its masters." 
 The people believed Christ was present with them as their 
 King, and with his word in their hands they called no man 
 master. Each private Christian received Ihs spiritual gifts 
 directly from Christ, and the ministry could receive its gifts 
 from no other source ; and so Christ was all and in all, and 
 the body of behevers in each community sustained the re- 
 sponsibility of recognizing these giftn by their fellowship in 
 
12 
 
 ORIGINAL IMMIORATION. 
 
 the functions of the Chnrch-statc. Tlic private Cliristian and 
 the minister alike received his anointing directhj from Cluist, 
 and not through bajitism or ordaining liands, — the l)a])tism 
 recognized faith in the suliject or his parent, and ordinatioii 
 recognized openly the call of the Spirit, of which call the 
 presbytery had gained satisfactory proof And the congre- 
 gation of believers in Christ, conveniently meeting in one 
 place, and taldng his word as their guide and their Consti- 
 tution, was the Church in that locality, 
 
 ORICilNAL IMMIGKATION. 
 
 A nation or State receives its clravactcristics fi-oni its 
 founders. Of this Htate it may be proper to say, there was 
 at least three g'reat elements in tlie original population, 
 coming in at different periods of time. At a very early 
 period came the colony, as we have seen, at the eastern ex- 
 tremity. Tlie colonists were sent out by rich spccrdators 
 from England. The lawless in the Plymouth Colony 
 also found a home here, because no efficient government 
 existed. Great irregidarities prevailed, mitil the peojde were 
 compelled to seek the benefits of good government by union 
 with Massachusetts in 1641. It is related that on one occa- 
 sion, while a venerable minister of Boston was addressing 
 the people at Dover, and reproving tliem for dejjarting from 
 the good haljits of the Puritans, an intelligent citizen arose 
 and corrected his mistake, saying, " We are a different race 
 from them, never liaving had any connection with them. — 
 Instead of coming here fur religious ])urposes, the oliject of 
 our ancestors was to lumber and lish and trade. And in- 
 stead of departing from Lheir good examples, we think we 
 have rather improved upon thejii." Whether this was an 
 actual occurrence or not, it exliibits the ends aimed at Ity the 
 Piscataqua Colony. The residts may be anticipated. In 
 most of the towns in the eastern part of Eockingliam and 
 Strafford counties, the institutions nf religion failed to be 
 early established, or have been feebly sustained. Out of 
 twenty-seven or twenty-eight towns in this section of the 
 State, there were not fiund, at the end of two ccntui ies, 
 more than five toviTis affording an adequate support for the 
 preached gospel. AVhile in the adjoining county of Straf- 
 ford, of the 35 or 36 towns then included within its limits, 
 but three towns were f)und in the year 1826, furnishing an 
 adequate supjiort to the christian ministry, independent of 
 missionaiy aid. Two of these towns were out of the region 
 of the Piscataqua influence. About twelve of the churches 
 
OEICilNAL IMMIGRATION. 13 
 
 starly established in tliis rcfjion have become extinet. The 
 state of things above alluded to, led to the tbruiation of the 
 Fiseataqua Missionary Society in the early part of the jjres- 
 eut eeutnry, an institution which has been of great service 
 to all the interests of religion in that region. It is proper 
 to remark, that in this portion of the State, a century later, 
 the influence of AA^hitefield was great and good, and the 
 eftbrts of the friends oi truth, in sending missionaries, and 
 the blessing of God upon the churches that were planted 
 there, have done mucli to foster true piety among the people. 
 And as a proof also, of the presence of some good people in 
 the colony of the Piscataqua, a portion of a letter written in 
 1621 by AVilliam Hilton, is here inserted. He came to 
 Plymouth first, and went thence to his brother at Dover. — 
 The letter shows Irim to have been a " lover of good men," 
 at least : — 
 
 " Louing Cousin, at our arriuall at New-Plimoth in New 
 England, we found all our Friends and Planters in good 
 Health, though they were left sicke, and weake, v/itli very 
 small nieanes — the Indians round about us jieaceable and 
 friendly — the Country very pleasant and temperate, yeelding 
 naturally of itself great store of Fruites ; as Vines of diures 
 sorts in great al)undance : there is likewise Walnuts, Ches- 
 nuts. Small Nuts, and plums, with much Variety of Flowers, 
 Eootes, and Herbes, no lesse pleasant than wholesome and 
 protitaljle. Mines we find to our thinking, but neither the 
 gijodness nor Qualitie we know. Better Grain cannot be 
 than the Indian dirne, if we will plant it vpon as good ground 
 as a man need desire. — Wee are all Freeholders : the Rent- 
 Day doth not trouble vs ; and all those good Blessings we 
 haue, of which and what we list in their Seasons, for taking. 
 Our Com|:ianie are for most Part very religious honest 
 People : The Word of God sincerely taught vs every Sab- 
 bath ; so that I know not any thing a contented mind can 
 here want. I desire your friendly care to send my Wife and 
 Children to me where I wish all the Friends I have in Eng- 
 land, and so I rest. Your loving Kinsman, 
 
 WILLIAM HILTON." 
 
 Of his brf)ther Edward it may be recorded, that] he was a 
 confidential friend of Gov. Wefti^etctk, and this is iio small 
 commendatioiij and he also opposed tire immoralities that 
 abounded in trie settlements, through the influence of bad 
 men, 6(jme of whom even professed to be ministers of Christ. 
 
 A second element in our early population came in almost 
 ,a centurv later. In 1717 one Robert Temple came with his 
 
14 
 
 ORIGINAL IMMIGEATION. 
 
 family, and the next year several ships, in which ho had aa 
 interest, arrived with several hundred emigrants from the 
 north of Ireland. Those emigrants came into Kennehec 
 and Falmouth, — now Portland. They were firm Presl.iyte- 
 rians. Many of them were descendants of a colony tliat 
 came to Ireland from Argyleshire, Scotland, in order to 
 escape the cruelties of Charles I. I)uring their first winter 
 here they were in want. They were furnished one hundred 
 bushels of meal by the General Court at Boston. In 1719 
 many of them came to Newljuryjiort, some settled in Lon- 
 donderry, and gave it its name, and many went to Pennsyl- 
 vania. Those who remained in Maine were mostly in Lin- 
 coln county, where their influence lives to this day. This 
 county has been one of the two in the State, that pay more 
 into the treasury of the Home Missionary Society, than is 
 expended in the county. The men who settled at London- 
 derry, and wlio were followed from time to time by others of 
 their own faith and character, have planted and fostered the 
 institutions of true Christianity. And although the Presby- 
 terian church polity, which they established, may have been 
 modified or changed for the Congregational form in many 
 instances, the stable moral principles of the original inhabi- 
 tants wiU long abide, and good order, peace and the salva- 
 tion of men, ^\'ill be their fruit. 
 
 The third element in the early influences that operated in 
 giving character to our State, is found in the population 
 coming mostly from Massachusetts and Connecticut, during 
 the last half of last Century. The population in these earlier 
 settled parts of the country was increasing, and, early in the 
 last century, was inchned to overleap the boundaries of civ- 
 ihzed life, and make settlements in the wilderness. But this 
 disposition was for a time checked by the fear of the sav- 
 ages, who at that period were instigated by a foreign influ- 
 ence, to deeds of blood. About this time occurred the 
 " Great Awakening,'' wliich pervaded the greater part of 
 New England, and which seems to have been designed, in the 
 providence of God, to pre2)are the people for the emigration 
 which was soon to take place. From the close of the French 
 war in 1761, when fears from the savages ceased, during a 
 period of about ten years, permanent settlements were com- 
 menced in nearly or cprite one-third of the towns in this 
 State. Emigrants from the parts of Massachusetts and 
 Connecticut, where the influence of Edwards' Theology, and 
 of Whitefield's preaching was most strongly felt, were rmited 
 in the settlement of many of our towns in the interior 
 and western parts of the State, and in the formation of 
 
KISE OF VARIOUS DENOMINATIONS. 15 ■ 
 
 many of the chnrches. Tlie doctrinal liclief, and tlie ^]>\nt 
 of revivals which characterized the older churches at that 
 period, were trans|ilauted into the new towns of this State, 
 and have since been universally addpted hy tlie churches of 
 the Congregational and Presbyterian denominations. 
 
 EISE OF VARIOUS DENOMINATIONS. 
 
 The Piscataqua colonists adopted tlie Congregational form 
 of worship. In 1633 a Meethig-honse was erected at 
 Dover. In 1670, forty seven years from the beginning of 
 settlements in the State, Hampton, Exeter, and I)ovcr, were 
 the only towns that enjoyed the benefits of a settled minis- 
 try. In 1700, seventy seven years from the beginning, there 
 were but five Congregational churches, and in 1748 there, 
 were thirty. Most of our advancement, therefore, has been 
 seen in the course of a centuiy. An E]iiscopal Chapel was 
 built at Portsmouth, before 1638, and Eev. Eichard Gilison 
 was employed to jireach in it. A small society of Quakers 
 was organized in 1701. The first Baptist Churcli wasformed 
 at Newton, in 1755, and Eev. AValter Powers was their 
 minister. At the close of twenty five years they numliered 
 nineteen churches. A recent, solemn convocation there, 
 commemorated the return of the one hundredth anniversary 
 of this event. In 1719 the Presbyterians entered Lon- 
 donderry. The first Freewill Baptist church was planted at 
 New Durham in 1780, gathered by Eev. Benjamin Eandall. 
 The first Methodist Society whose numbers were returned 
 to the New England Conference, was in Chcsteifiekl, in 
 1797. There were ninety two members. In 1800 they had 
 one hundred and seventy one memliers, and three travelling 
 preachers. The first society of Universalists was formed at 
 Portsmouth in 1781. The Shakers fu-st appeared in 1782, 
 and were gathered into a church-state, in 1792, by Elder 
 Job Bishop. 
 
^irclimgljain C0inttg. 
 
 ATKINSON. 
 
 ' Kov. Jesse Pace. 
 
 Atldnson was set off fi'om Plaistow, Aiigiist 31, 1767, and 
 incorporated by the Legislature as a toM^n, September 3d, 
 of the same year. The reasons assigned by the petitioners 
 for the erection of a new town, were, "that, by reason of the 
 great distance of tlieir dwellings from the Meeting-liouso, 
 they undergo many and gi'cat difficulties in attending the 
 public Tv'orslup of Almighty Grod there, and tliat, the said 
 Meeting-house is not large enough to accommodate more than 
 half of the inliabitauts of said town." The new town im- 
 mediately took measuics for the maintenance of the gospel 
 and its ordinances. The fii'st Meeting-house was erected iii 
 the year 1768 or '69, ^md Avas taken down in 1845. There 
 is no account, either written or traditional, that the house 
 was ever formally dedicated. The Pilgrims came to this 
 country in consequence of religiorrs persecution, and their 
 dislike to the Clrarch of England was so great, that they 
 woidd not practice s( jme of its observances, even though proper 
 and scriptural. Tliey carried their principles of non-con- 
 formity so far, that they did not dedicate, after the custom 
 of the English Church, their houses of worsliip, which they 
 denominated Meeting-houses and not Churches. Mr. Stephen 
 Peabody, a native of Andover, Mass., was elected to the 
 ministerial office, Feb. 26, 1772. At an adjourned meeting, 
 the following vote was passed, in resjiect to his salary, viz : 
 " Voted, To give Mr. Steplien Peabody, one hundred and 
 sixty jjounds, lawful money, as a settlement, upon conditions 
 that the salary begin at sixty-six pounds tliirteen shillings 
 and four pence, la-svfid money, the first year, and add on forty 
 shilhngs per year, till it amounts to eighty pounds per 
 year." " Voted, To give Mr. Stephen Peabody ten cords of 
 wood per year, so long as he cariles on the work of the min- 
 istry in Atldnson." This invitation to settle in the minis- 
 try Mr. Peabody accepted, and he was ordained as pastor, 
 Nov. 25, 1772, at which time a church was formed, consist- 
 
ATKINSON. 17 
 
 ing of nineteen members. The covenant adopted liy this 
 church at the time it was formed, is evangehcaL Mr. Pea- 
 body continued in the pastoral otiice more than forty-seven 
 years, and until his death, May 23, 1819. During his min- 
 istry seventy-ti\'e persons were admitted to the clun-ch, in 
 addition to nineteen who were embodied as the church. He 
 married thirty-two couples, wliu had l)een licensed by Ins 
 Excellency, Gov. John AVentworth, and 281 couples who 
 had been published in the usual way. He also baptized one 
 hundred and forty children and adults. After the de- 
 cease of the Rev. Mr. Peabody, the puljiit was supplied by 
 various individuals. Mr. Jacob Cunmiings, a licentiate and 
 the Preceptor of tlie Academy, preached for about two years, 
 and the Eev. Stejilien Farley, wliile oflieiating as Preceptor, 
 supplied the desk for seven or eiglit years. While they wei-e 
 destitute of a pastor, forty-two persons were admitted to the 
 church. 
 
 Aprd 18, 1832, tlie Eev. Lid:e A. Spofford was installed 
 pastor of the church. He was dismissed at Iris own request, 
 Jan. 20, 1834. AVhile he was pastor ten were received into 
 the church. On account of the inconvenience which attended 
 the worship of God, in connection witli otlrerdenomiiiations, 
 the church and the orthodox part of the community formed, 
 Feb. 17, 1834, a Society for the support of christian institu- 
 tions, called the Congregational Society in Atkinson. 
 
 During the year 1835, a Meeting-house was erected, after 
 which, tlie pulpit was suiiplied by Kcv. Samuel H. Tnlman 
 till July 5, 1837, wlien he was installed jiastor of the church. 
 Mr. Tolman continued his work here till Oct. 27. 1839, 
 when their civil contract, by mutual consent, was ilisaulved. 
 During his ministry thirty-two were added to the churcli. 
 After Mr. Tolman's dismission, the puljtit was supplied for 
 two or three years l)y Messrs. Deming, Parsons and others. 
 
 The Rev. Samuel Pierce was ordained, April 19, 1843, 
 pastor of the church. He died in office, March 27, 1844, 
 aged twenty-seven, much respected and beloved. Alter Ins 
 decease, the jnilpit was supplied by Messrs. Hazen, Kellog 
 and others. In June, 1845, the Rev. Jesse Page commenced 
 preaching as a stated supply, and is still the minister of the 
 people. During his ministry, there have been two seasons 
 of more than ordinary religious interest, and twenty-three 
 have been added to the church in this place, and many who 
 were connected with the Academy liave united v^hh the 
 churches in the pjlaces where they reside. There have been 
 four or five special seasons of revival of religion, previ(3usly, 
 when a considera])le numljer of persons were hopefully con- 
 verted to the Lord and added to the church. 
 
18 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 Tlie church now lias one hundred and one members, four- 
 teen having l^een added l)y profession the past year. The 
 following persons have held the ofQeo of Deacon in the 
 church, "viz: Mr. Nathaniel Knight, Mr. Joseph Knight, 
 Mr. Benjamin Hale, Mr. John Merrill, Hon. John Vose, 
 Col. William Page, Mr, Josiah Grover, Mr. Moses Dow, 2d. 
 and Mr. Franklin Gilliert. Seven members of this church 
 have entered the ministry. Thirty-six iirdividuals from this 
 town have entered the learned professions, the town contain- 
 ing about six hundred inhaliitants. Since the year 1832, 
 Jan. 1, forty-two childi'en have been baptized. The average 
 attendance on the Sabbath is from one hundred and fifty to 
 two hundred. There is but one other religious society in 
 town, (a Universalist society,) incorporated in 1837. They 
 have preaching occasionally. The Academy, wliich is one of 
 the oldest in the State, has ever been under a good religioiis 
 influence, and is at the present time in a prosperous condi- 
 tion. 
 
 AUBURN. 
 
 Rev. James Holmes. 
 
 This town wasincoiporatedin June, 1845, and was taken off 
 from Chester. It was the West Parish. No church records 
 are found earlier than 1802. The records of the Presbyterian 
 Parishbegin Jan. 19, 1738. This year a committee was cho- 
 sen to liuild a Meeting-house, which was situated not far 
 from the center of the present town of Chester. Rev. John 
 Wilson was the minister, and was settled in 1734. His la- 
 bors are noticed till 1778. He died Feb. 1, 1779, aged 
 sixty-nine years. The warrant for Parish meeting March 11, 
 1760, has this article, " To see if the Parish will do any 
 tiling alxiut finishing the Meeting-house this year." And at 
 the meeting it was voted to raise three hundred pounds old 
 tenor for finishing the two Meeting-houses. The second 
 house was the Long Meadow Meeting-house, situated in Au- 
 burn. And these two houses were occupied alternately, until 
 a new one was built, in 1793, about one mile nearer Chester, 
 and was the place ot' worship until 1848. The names of the 
 preachers succeeding Mr. AVilson are not given, except Rev. 
 David Annen. One Rev. James Davis preached some months, 
 and some became hopeful christians under his labors. June 13, 
 1803, Rev. Zacheus Colby was rmanimously in\'ited to become 
 their pastor, and was installed Oct. 13, 1803. Ha^dng been 
 
AUBUEN. 19 
 
 attacked with paralysis and rendered intinn, ho was dismissed 
 in 1809. He died in this place Ang. 10, 1822, aged 75. 
 Very little is given in the records during his ministry, but 
 he is spoken of as having been much res})ectcd and lieioved. 
 Nov. 1812, Eev. Wm. Harlow washircdto preach, and contin- 
 ued till 1815. Dec. 1816, Kev. Clement Parker was invi- 
 ted to become pastor, and was settled Feb. 19, 1817, and 
 dismissed Oct. 26, 1825. Rev. Abel Manning was hired July, 
 1826, and preached till 1831. This year Rev. Benj. Sargent 
 commenced prcacliing, and was installed April 19, 1833, and 
 dismissed Aj)ril 29, 1841. During his ministry, seventy-three 
 were received to the church on profession, and nine by letter, 
 and firty-tivo children were liaptized. The discussions on 
 slavery created a difference of feeling among the members of 
 the church. Mr. S. became excited, and it is thought tliis, 
 and the death of his cliildren, produced partial insanity. If 
 the present admissions touclung the sin of slavery, had then 
 been made by ministers and others, and free discussion al- 
 lowed, Mr. S. might possibly have Ijcen saved. Th(.' state of 
 rehgious affiii-s was now extremely unpromising. 
 
 In Se]it, 1841, Rev. Samuel Ordway commenced preach- 
 ing, and sujiplied till 1846. In Jan. 1843, he organized a 
 Congregational Church of sixteen mendiers. In November 
 following six persons were added to the cluirch. The Pres- 
 byterian Church was dropped, and the Parsonage was trans- 
 ferred to tlie Congregational Church and Society, and for this 
 change many were disaffected. Mr. 0, iince reported to the 
 Missionary Society, that there were one hundred families 
 which did not attend meeting. Rev. James Holmes com- 
 mencedlabor as stated supply here, July, 1846 ; was installed 
 pastor Dec. 5, 1849. Tins church was aided by the Mission- 
 ary Society, from 1841 to 1849. Since 184C, thirty-five 
 persons have been received to membership liy lettci-, and 
 eight by profession ; infant baptisms have been ten ; sixteen 
 have died ; seven have been dismissed ; twenty have re- 
 moved from town without taldng letters of dismission. — 
 There are now fifty-two members. The fruits of former 
 divisions are still visilde. In seven years, tliirty-one fami- 
 lies have died and removed from to^^'n, that aided in the 
 suppi irt of the gospel, and only some half dozen have moved 
 in to take their places. "We are troidjled on every side, yet 
 not distressed ; perplexed, ])ut not in despair." AsmaU circle 
 of christians cleave to the Lord in fervent jirayers. We 
 feel that the gospel will yet bo the power of (lod unto the 
 salvation of many in this place. A new Meeting-house was 
 dedicated in Feb. 1848, and a very pleasant Vestry is now 
 
20 EOOKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 finished in the hasonciit, and is well furnished. The Parson- 
 age has Leen sold, and the annual income of the fund is about 
 ^70. Tlie people are doing more each year il)r the support 
 of the gosjiel. They hope not to ask missioniiry aid again, 
 although the cliurch has hut eight resident male members. 
 Quite a number are doing weU, considering their means, and 
 the Lord will not leave them without a blessing. For some 
 further facts the reader is referred to the history of the church 
 in Chester. Tlie iK.pulation in 1850 was 810. 
 
 BKENTWOOD. 
 
 Fiev. CiiAULES Dame. 
 
 This place v/as originally a ]iart of Exeter, and before its 
 separatii >n a Meeting-house had been erected within its pres- 
 ent limits, at a location called Keenborough, about a mile 
 east of tlie present house of worslii}). B)-entwood was in- 
 corporated in 1742. The town originally included what is 
 now Fremuut, To the inhabitants of the latter ])lace the 
 location nf the Meeting-house "was inconvenient. To meet 
 their wishes, a committee of three gentlemen from Ports- 
 mouth was chosen at the time of the incorporation (if the 
 to^vn, to select a site for a Meeting-house for the to'\\m. — 
 That conniiittcc, after due examination, reported, the place 
 at the " gulley," where the present Congregational house of 
 Worship stands. By reason of various difliculties, the house 
 was not crimpleted for several years. 
 
 Eev. l-Tathanicl Trask was the first minister of the place. 
 He was ordained as pastor of a clmrch wliich had biX'u pre- 
 viously organized at Keenborough Dec. 12, 1748. Previous- 
 ly to this, or about this time, a congregatitin had been gath- 
 ered, and were holding tlieir meetings in the new Meeting- 
 house. After a series of difficulties between the two ccmgre- 
 gations, a church was organized at " the gulley," anda tmion 
 having been effected between the two societies, Mr. Trask was 
 installed pastor of the church fonned by the union of these 
 two, Jan. 21, 1756. At the settlement of Mr. Trask the 
 church numbered fifty-f hree members. Mr. Trask continued 
 in the pastoral office here forty-one years. His death occur- 
 red Dec. 12, 1789, at the age of 67. From the decease of 
 Mr. Trask the chureli was without a pastor eleven years and a 
 half. During this time more than one hundred individuals 
 were employed as candidates or as supplies. Eiglit or ten of 
 these received calls to settle, but declined them. 
 
BRENTWOOD. 21 
 
 Rev. Ebenczer Flint was the next paKtor. He was settled 
 May 27, 1801. At the time of his settlement the church 
 had become reduced to six male and thirteen female mem- 
 bers. He was a man much respected and beloved by his 
 people. His '\dews and preaching were thoroughly Cialvinis- 
 tic. It being a time of declension, only ten or twelve were 
 added to the cliurch during liis ministry, which continued 
 but a little more than ten years. He died suddenlj-, Oct. 12, .^ 
 1811, leaving a widow and four small children..')^ ■:- ',. I'* 
 
 On the 21st of July, 1813, Eev. Chester Colton entered 
 this field of la1)or, ami soon the friends of religion in the 
 place extended to lum a call to settle. This call Mr. Colton 
 subsequently accepted, and was settled Jan. 25, 181.5. The 
 p)rospects of the Society now began to brighten. The friends 
 of Christ were encouraged. The aspect of things changed. 
 To the honor of the Concrregationalists in Brentwood, and 
 as a stimulus to the destitute in other towns, says a late wri- 
 ter, it ought to be known, that between fifty and sixty fami- 
 lies, within a year from the date of tlieir incorporatioji as a 
 distinct Congregational Society, not only settled Jlr. Colton 
 as their minister, with a salary of four hundred dollars a 
 year and fifteen cords of wood brought to his door ; but also 
 took down their old Meeting-house and erected a ncAV one, 
 besides building a Parsonage house. Jlr. Colton secured to 
 himself the warmest attachment of his peojile, and his la- 
 bors were greatly blest. In the winter of 1818-19 a revival 
 was enjoyed, and as flir as known, this was the first cvei- en- 
 joyed in the place. More tlian forty were added to the church 
 during the ministry of Mr. Colton. After retaining the 
 pastoral oflice about ten years, Mr. Colton was, at his own 
 request, <in account of inflammation of the eyes, dismissed 
 from his flock, and after regaining the use of his eyes, preached 
 awhile in Connecticut, and afterwards as a missionary at 
 the West, where he died a few years since. 
 
 Mr. Colton was succeeded by Eev, Luke A. Spofford, who 
 was installed over the church and society, Feb. 22, 1826. 
 After a ministry of about three years, Mr. Spoifird, dis- 
 couraged at the apparent want of success attending his la- 
 bors, asked and received a dismission. The number of church 
 members reported June 1828 was 53. After the disnnssion 
 of Rev. Mr. Spofi'ord, the people in Brentwood ciijnyed for 
 three years and a half the labors of Rev. Jonathan Ward. 
 During this ])eriod, says one of his successors, Mi-. Ward la- 
 bored acceptably and faithfully in word and doctrine, to build 
 up and estabhsh the church in the faith ; and, as the truits 
 of his labors, a considerable number were gathered into the 
 
22 r.OCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 visible kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ Ijv liiui and his 
 immediate successors. Mr. Ward stUl lives in the ])lace, en- 
 joying a serene and tranquil old age, sustained by those 
 truths he has so cheerfully and fliithfidly defended, awaiting, 
 with assured hope, the time of his departure, to enter upon 
 his reward. 
 
 Eev. Francis AVelch was the next settled minister of the 
 idace. He was ordained pastor of the church Dec. 4, 1833. 
 The ministry of Mr. Welch was embarrassed by pecuniary 
 difficulties, and after sustaining the pastoral office between 
 three and four years, he was dismissed, Oct. 4, 1837. 
 
 The next pastor was Eev. John (Tunnisnu. He had been 
 previously ordained at Ljmran, Me. May 12, 1831 ; installed 
 over the Union Society of Salisbury and Amesbury, Mass., 
 Dec. 31, 1835, and at jSTewmarket, Lamprey Eiver, Feb. 22, 
 1837. He was installed over the church in Brentwood, June 
 12, 1839. He sustained the pastoral office two years, and 
 was dismissed June, 1841. He was afterwards settled in 
 West Falmouth, Me, and now resides in New Gloucester. — 
 During the ministry of Mr. Gunnison, there were two sea- 
 sons of religious awakening in the place, and about forty 
 were added to the church. 
 
 Eev. James Boutwell was the next settled minister. He 
 was ordained pastor of the church Nov. 4, 1841. Mr. Bout- 
 well sustained the pxistoral office among this people for more 
 than ten years, when he was dismissed May 12, 1852, and 
 became pastor of the church in Sairbomton. He continued, 
 during his stay among this people, to retain his hold upon 
 their aifections ; he Avas highly esteemed by them, and his 
 departure was deeplj^ regretted. His memory is still kindly 
 cherished by them. After Mr. Boutwell's dismission, the 
 pulpit was suptplied Ijy Eev. Josiah Stearns, a native of New 
 Ipswich, for a period of about nine montlis, when he was laid 
 aside from his labors by sickness, which terminated his use- 
 fid life, June 12, 1853, at the age of 34 years. 
 
 The j)i"esent pastor of the church, Eev. Charles Dame, 
 came to the place Feb. 13, 1854, and was installed the 17th 
 of the following Slay. He is a native of South Be !■ wick, 
 Me. ; graduated at Bowdoin College Sept. 1835, Audover, 
 1838 ; settled at Falmnuth, Me. May 29, 1839 ; dismissed 
 from the church there Aug. 11, 1853. The church is now 99 
 years old. It has now its eighth pastor. It has passed 
 thi'ough a variety of scenes of depression and pirosperity 
 since its organization. But though at times feeble, and its 
 prospects dark, its great Head has thus far preserved it. — 
 Its present state is one of peace and harmony. Its })resent 
 
CANMA, 23 
 
 number is sixty-tliree, and the con<:jregation in good weather 
 numbers one hundred and fifty. The Soeiety has Ijeen di- 
 minished by deatlis during tlie jiast year to an unv/onted 
 degree. Population in 1820; 892, in 1850, 923. 
 
 CANDIA. 
 
 Rev. Wm. T. HekiLIck. 
 
 The early settlers of Candia were of Puritan deseent , and, 
 though many of them were not interested in the C!hristian 
 religion, as a matter of personal experience, yet they aU 
 regarded the institutions of the gospel as essential to the 
 well-lieing of any community. Accordingly, one of the very 
 first acts of the town, after its incorporation in 17G3, and 
 after the choice of the usual to^vn officers, was to ])rovide 
 means to procure the preaching of the gospel. This they 
 must have, at whatever sacrifice. A house of worsliip, too, 
 they must have, before they were themselves able to occupy 
 their "ceiled houses." Tliis was erected, in 1766, by the 
 united labors and the hearty co-operation of the whole town. 
 In 1802, a porch and steeple were added to tins house, and 
 a bell was procured. It stood until 1838, when it was 
 destroyed by fire. A new house was erected that year and 
 is still occupied. The church was organized in 1770, \vith 
 seventeen members. Its succession of pastors has been as 
 follows : Rev. Da\dd Jewctt, settled 1771 — dismissed or died, 
 1780 ; Eev. Joseph Prince, stated supply seven years fi-om 
 1782 ; Piev. Jesse Eemmgton, settled Oct. 20, 1790— died, 
 March 3, 1815 ; Rev. Isaac Jones, settled Feb. 7, 1816— 
 dismissed. May 12, 1818 ; Rev. Abraham Wheeler, settled 
 Jan. 13, 1819— dismissed, Oct. 29, 1832 ; Rev. Charles P. 
 Russell, settled Dec. 25, 1833--dismissed, May 26, 1841 ; 
 Rev. William Murdock, settled Dec. 1, 1841 — dismissed. 
 May 2, 1853 ; Rev. WilUam T. Herrick, settled July 5, 1854. 
 
 " The first call to the work of the ministry, was given to 
 Mr. Tristram Oilman, Sept. 1, 1768." This callVas not 
 accepted. A call was then given ti5 Mr. Jonathan Searle. 
 Tins, also, was unsuccessful, and finally, after a day of fast- 
 ing and prayer, appointed by the committee, as the record 
 has it, " they ^3?fc7iec^ on Mr. David Jewett, with an ofl'er of 
 £ 50 for the first year, and £ 5 more each year afterward, 
 until the stipend should be £ 65." — [History of Candia, hy 
 F. B. Eaion, Esq.] At the end of Rev. Mr. Jewett's minis- 
 try, forty-two members in all had been received into the 
 
24 
 
 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 church. The dismission of Mr. Jewett, procured not mlh- 
 out much difficulty by the town, occasioned dissatisfaction in 
 the church, as tlie following old record shows. It is worth 
 transcribing : "at a Church Meeting some time in the faU 
 of y" year 1781 all y" members of the church Ijcing notified 
 to meet to compromise some matters Respecting an uneasi- 
 ness that had arisen among some of the members by Eeason 
 of mi'. Jewett our former minister Going away and it was 
 agreed l.iy all present to forgive and forget every thing Past 
 and unanimously live in Love and peace, in fellowship one 
 with anotlier f )r the future, mr. Jacob Sargent, nn-. Dean 
 Waldlctli, mr. Theophilus Sargent not present." 
 
 Eev. Jo:;eph Prince, wIkd was employed for seven years as 
 a stated supply, was blind before he commenced preaching. 
 He had preached nearly fi:iity years when he came to Candia. 
 He was actively employed in preaclring from ]dace to place, 
 in the "Great Awakening," in 1745-6-7. His funeral ser- 
 mon, preached in Newburyport in 1791, s]ieahs of him as an 
 eloc[uent, devout, acceptalile and successful preacher. His 
 mortal remains he in the same vault with those of White- 
 field. During the ministry of Mr. Jewett and Mr. Prince, 
 the " Half-way Covenant" was in vogue in this church. — 
 Many "\\'cre received into covenant, or " ovmed covenant," 
 and had their childi-en liaptized, who were not "received 
 into foil comnnmion." Aliout two hiuidred and forty bap- 
 tisms took place dming tlie ministry of Mr. Jewett, and one 
 hunil red and forty during that of Mr. Prince ; only one adult 
 among them all, so far as the records show. Mr. llemington 
 was opposed to the " Half-way Covenant ;" and soon after 
 his settlement in 1794, "the chirrch agreed Not to give their 
 Consent to have any Cliildren Baptized l)y any minister 
 unless their parents one or both joined with the Church." 
 
 The ministry of Rev. Jesse Remingtcm forms an impor- 
 tant part of the history of the churcVi. It was nearly twice 
 as long as any other ; and Mr. Remington is tlie only pastor 
 that has died in office here, and laid his bones among his 
 people. The work of the church had liitlierto lieen mainly 
 jpreparatory ; it was now time to settle its foundation deep 
 and strong, and to commence the erection of a durable and 
 well-]iroportioned superstructure upon such a fijundation. — 
 Mr. Remington was eminently the man for this work. He 
 was devout, sound in doctrine, diligent and untiring in his 
 labors ; and pre-eminently a tlu>rougli man. Rev. Mr. Pren- 
 tice of Northwood said, at his funeral, " He was indeed an 
 evangelical preacher, sound in the faith, remarkaUy clear in 
 the doctrines of grace, a lover of hospitality, a lover of good 
 
CANDIA. 25 
 
 men, holding fortli tlie feitliful word. He was solemn and 
 impressive in his manner, evidently realizing the weight of 
 Ms own responsibility to his Lord and Master. He felt those 
 truths which he exhibited to othei-s. He declared the whole 
 counsel of God. He was by no means a man-jjleaser." — 
 Such a man was well adapted to his time. If he was per- 
 mitted in his own lifetime, to gather but few sheaves, yet 
 those few were so thorouglily threshed and so carefully win- 
 nowed, that there was little left but the clear and solid 
 grain. 
 
 Parsonages andFunds. Before the settlement of Mr. Jew- 
 «tt, the town had commenced the erection of a parsonage on 
 the " Parsonage Lot." Mr. Prince was employed to preach 
 seven years, "for the improvement of the parsonage, and a 
 hired hand six months each year, putting the buildings and 
 parsonage in repair.' Mr. Remington was to have "the 
 use and improvement of the parsonage lot and buildings, 
 during his ministry, and £60 lawful money, annually, and 
 likewise twenty cords of wood yearly hauled to the parson- 
 age house, eight or twelve feet long." Soon after the death 
 of Mr. Remington, in 1815, the parsonage farm was sold. — 
 The avails, however, were still controlled by the town ; and 
 both Mr. Jones and Mr. Wheeler were settled by the church 
 and the to'mi acting together. During the ministry of Mr, 
 Wheeler, the town voted to divide this fund, and give a part, 
 (about one fourth,) to another society, and the remainder to 
 the " Congregational Society of Canclia ;" which society was 
 formed at that time, and has since co-operated with the 
 church, in the settlement and dismission of ministers. The 
 income of this fund, increased by two or three small dona- 
 tions, is now about two hundred and forty dollars a year. — 
 Since 1849, they have averaged about three hundred dollars 
 a year in contributions to benevolent associations. The 
 average attendance on public worship, in all evangelical 
 churches in town, does not exceed 400 persons. More than 
 one half of the population belongs to this parish. The whole 
 number of members in the church from the beginning is 595. 
 The members in the church at different periods, are as fol- 
 lows : 1816—28 ; 1818—49 ; 1822—70 ; 1823—182 ; 1824 
 —215; 1830—192; 1832— 262 ;• 18.35-236 ; 1849—294; 
 1854—258 ; 1855—250. The infant baptisms from the 
 beginning have been 748. Adult baptisms in all, 204. It 
 is not known that the town has furnished more than two men 
 for the ministry, — three or four are now preparing for it. 
 
 There was no revival in town rmtil the year 1822. In the 
 fall of that year, the power of God began to be displayed 
 3 
 
26 ROCKINGHAM COUNTT, 
 
 in this churcli and town in a most vv'ondeiful manner ; it 
 swept over the whole community, and shook the hearts of 
 all this jieople, as the trees of the forest are shaken by a 
 mighty wind. The churcli was small, hut a few who were 
 accustomed to meet for a weekly prayer meeting at the house 
 of the pastor, agreed to consecrate an hour every Saturday 
 evening to prayer for a revival of God's work. This pri- 
 vate concert of prayer, was, douhtless, an important instru- 
 mentality in preparing the way of the Lord. This revival, 
 commonly spoken of in tliis chirrch as the " Great Eef :>rma- 
 tion," broke out in a very striking manner. A letter written 
 in Oct. 1822, by a member of this church, now living, gives 
 so "savid an account of tlie opening scene of this great work, 
 that extracts from it seem desirable here. The writer speaks 
 with rejoicing of a work of grace already commenced, and 
 says, " God has, as it were, caused the dead to hear his voice 
 and live ; for, surely, nothiug but an almighty power could 
 accomplish what has taken place in this neighlxirhood witliin 
 one week." The letter then goes on to say that, "three per- 
 sons had met the Friday evening before, to have a jolly time. 
 One of themlsegan to talk ui a light way of the day of judg- 
 ment ; the other two soon began to sing a pisalm-tune, and 
 whilst they were singing the words, 'And whilst the lamp 
 holds out to burn, the vilest sinner may return,' the other, 
 who had been speaking lightly of the day of judgment, 
 suddenly rose, took a chair, and went to prayer. They 
 were all astonished out of measure, but thought it mockery. 
 His wife, who was a pious woman, said she expected the 
 house would sink under them. After having made a good 
 prayer, as they said who heard him, he sat down, burst into 
 tears, and began to warn his associates to quit their sinful 
 courses ; said if they felt as he did, they would pray too. They 
 told him, if he would make as good a prayer as he did before, 
 they should tliink there was something real. He said he 
 would attempt to, if they desired him to. He accordingly 
 went to prayer ; made an able prayer, and sat down weep- 
 ing. They were struck with the utmost solemnity at his 
 manner of condi;ct. His wife said she had not strength to 
 get out of her chair, so great was her astonishment. "^ They 
 
 all sat up until about two in the morning. K ■ says he 
 
 feels hke a new man ; he says he was struck through sonl 
 and body, as it were, in a moment, when he rose to "^jrayer ; 
 said he could not have sat another moment, any more than 
 if he had been on coals of fire. He does ap)pear in reality 
 to give evidence to all around of a saving change of heart. 
 He went on Monday evening to meeting ; told his experience, 
 
CHESTEK. 27 
 
 i-iieu went to pra5'er." Here the letter ends abruptly. — 
 8ome of tlie aged members of tlois church say, he scarcely 
 ate or slept for two or three days ; was too weak to attend 
 meeting on the Sabbath, — they never heard such preaching 
 as they heard from him. He gave good evidence of piety 
 rmtil his death, several years since. In such power did 
 tliis revival commence ; and in such power did it continue 
 for several months. Proud hearts were humbled, stubborn 
 wills subdued, and the tongues of the dumb unloosed. As 
 the fruit of tliis great work, one Imndred and fifty were 
 added to the church ; many of them heads of families, in- 
 cluding the more influential ones in town. Revivals of less 
 power, but of much interest, occurred in 1830 and 1832, 
 during which years about seventy-five were added to the 
 church. An interesting revival also occurred in 1838, under 
 the ministry of Mr. Bussell ; as the fruit of which about 
 sixty were added to the church ; and another in 1849, wliile 
 Mr. Murdock was pastor. The subjects of this last work of 
 grace, some fifty-five, were all young ; most of them under 
 twenty years of age, and members of the Sabbath School. — 
 The strength of the church, though ahsolutely greater now 
 than forty years ago, is relatively less, considering the num- 
 ber of members then and now. There is loss open wicked- 
 ness in society now, than then. Population in 1820, 1273 ; 
 in 1850, 1482. 
 
 CHESTER. 
 
 Rev. Lauiien Aemsby. 
 
 The first settlement on the tract kno-um as the " Chestnut 
 Country," (now Chester, Candia and Eaymond, mth parts 
 of Manchester and Hooksett,) was made in the summer of the 
 year 1720, by twenty-four individuals from Hampton, Haver- 
 hill, and the adjoining towns. The charter of the town was 
 granted in 1722. From this time until 1728, these settlers 
 were accustomed every Sunday morning to mount their horses 
 and travel over a rough foot-path ten miles to Kingston, 
 returning after sejvices to their homes "in the woods." _ In 
 the autumn of 1728 the expediency of building a Meeting- 
 house was first seriously discussed. It was built by an 
 assessment of forty sliillings on each proprietor, and was 
 finished in March, 1731. It stood a few rods south of the 
 spot where the present Congregational Church is situated, 
 and was 50 feet by 38 in dimensions ; it fronted the south- 
 
28 HOCKINaHAM COimTT, 
 
 west. In the meantime, June 10, 1729, the towa voted,: 
 according to the custom in such cases, "that Mr. John Tuck 
 of Hampton, is chose^i to settle with the inhabitants in the- 
 work of the ministry at Chester." Accordingly about the 
 first of July, Mr. Tuck came on trial, and preached fourteen 
 Sundays to them in the most spacious Jog -house of the settle- 
 ment; for it was not until 1732 that a framed house was 
 erected. He dechned settling among them. Eev. Moses 
 Hale, in Jan. 1730, was chosen to settle in the ministry wth 
 the same salary which Mr. Tuck was offered, viz. £ 120. The 
 minister's lot of 20 acres would also accrue to him at his settle- 
 ment according to charter. A committee was chosen "to 
 treat with liim, and acquaint him with what the town hath 
 done, and invite him into the ministry." They received a 
 favorable answer and report-ed to the town. Mr. Hale's 
 ordination took place Oct. 20, 1731, Kev. Messra. Phillips and 
 Barnard of Andover, and Rev. Mr. Brown of Haverhill, offici- 
 ating. A church was formed at the same time. After the 
 close of the war, early in 1726, many Irish Preshjff.erians 
 were induced to emigrate to the colonies. These settlers were 
 originally of Scotch descent, having emigrated to Ireland from 
 Argyle in Scotland. A great jealousy immediately arose 
 between them and the early settlers of the town, who, them- 
 selves mostly proprietors, looked upon the Presbyterians as 
 intruders, and determined among themselves that they should 
 pay their proportion towards Mr, Hale's support, Thus^ 
 matters continued to become worse and worse, and also about 
 this time Mr. Hale's health failed, so that as early as Sept. 
 1733 the inhabitants were obliged to procure some one to 
 supply the desk for a quarter of a year. Mr. Hale hiniselt, 
 Sept 1734, foreseeing that he would not be able to remain 
 their pastor, made certain proposals to the tovt^n in regard to 
 resigning his charge. His proposals were accepted, and an 
 ecclesiastical council was holden at Salisbury, Mass. on the 
 13th of Aug. The council dissolved the coi^nection between 
 the church of Chester and Mr. Hale. We have every reason to 
 believe the greatest charity was exercised toward him through- 
 out his sickness ; that at last when his dismission became inev- 
 itable, it was done with manifest grief and reluctance. 
 
 The determination of the council was accepted by the 
 proprietors, who voted to hire aminister forthree months at the 
 public charge. A day was set apart in September for "a day 
 of fasting and prayer for another minister," at which the advice 
 of the neighboring clergymen was taken. At tliis time 
 occurred the first difficulty between the Orthodox, or the 
 original settlers, and the Preshyferians, who had mostly 
 
CHESTER. 29 
 
 taken up their abode there since 1730. Several of these latter 
 now enter a protest against the above vote, declaring them- 
 selves "not of that communion," and objecting to any expense 
 which might foUow from it, as they had "hired a minister 
 themselves." This minister was Rev. John Wilson, who was 
 the same year ordained by them. Their meetings were held 
 in private houses until 1749, when they built a church. 
 This society will be referred to hereafter. The Orthodox 
 settlers, (as they were styled in distinction from the Presbyte- 
 rian-?.^ notwithstanding the protest, continued to hire a 
 minister of their own persuasion. In November, 1735, Rev. 
 Timothy Wliite was chosen as Mr. Hale's successor; but he 
 declined the invitation. In June, 1736, Rev. Ebenezer Flagg 
 was chosen to be their minister with a salary of £120. These 
 attempts called forth another protest signedby the members of 
 Mr. Wilson's society. In 1739 the Presbyterians were, by act 
 of Legislature, excused from paying for the support of Mr. 
 Flagg. At Mr. Flagg's settlement already referred to, when 
 the difficulty occurred between the parishes, Mr. Flagg him- 
 self was the only one who strove to accommodate the troubles. 
 An anecdote is related of Ms perseverance in making the 
 acquaintance of Mr. Wilson, which speaks well for his endeav- 
 ors to do all in his power to prevent further difficulty. As 
 the story runs, it was not until his third visit that Mr. Flagg 
 received an invatation to enter "Parson Wilson's" house, but 
 at last the foundation of friendship was laid, which endured 
 through all the succeeding litigation, untd the death of Mr. 
 Wilson. The Presbyterians were gradually becoming as 
 strong in numbers as their rivals, and in Aprd, 1739, ten 
 3'ears after the erection of the first churcb, they also voted 
 that it was expedient to have a house for public worship, 
 and for this purpose assessed £240 on themselves. Mr. 
 Wilson gave his people the land on which to set the church, 
 which, it appears, was completed the next Autumn, 1739. 
 It stood on what went by the name of "Haverhill Road," 
 and was, in dimensions, about 35 by 40 feet. It is stiU re- 
 membered by many inhabitants of Chester ; about fifty years 
 since it was rem.oved to the North Parish, where it has since 
 been demolished to make place for a new one. A portion of 
 the land presented by Mr. Wilson was used by the society 
 as a burying place. Mr. Flagg was bom at Woburn, Mass., 
 ■■October 18th, 1704, and entered Harvard CoUege in 1721, 
 at the age of 17 years, and in 1725 took his degree. During 
 his ministry there appears to have been but one considerable 
 revival ; that was in 1742, about the time of Mr. Whitefield's 
 vmt to this part of New England, and was shared in commou. 
 
30 
 
 EOCKINUHAM COUNT'S'. 
 
 by the neighboring towns. It is usually known as the gieal'. 
 revival of 1741. In 1742 thirty eight wereadded to the church; 
 eight owired the covenant. In 1741 only nine united with the 
 church ; in 174.3 only eight. Besides this, the yeare 1750, 
 '56, '57, '61 and '64, seem to have been times of more than 
 usual interest. The whole number of those who united 
 wdth the church under Mr. Flagg, is 243 to full communion, 
 and 287 loJio oivned the covenant. During the 60 years that 
 Mr. Flagg was minister of Chester he was called ujion to 
 baptize no less than 1450 infants. The Church Records are 
 in his liandwriting until he attained Iris 80th 3'ear, when he 
 resigned them to Mr. Bradstreet. Mr. Flagg cfied Nov. 14th, 
 1796, and what is observable, he survived every parishioner 
 who was active at his settlement. Eev. John Wilson, minister 
 of the Presbyterian Society, was bijrn in Ulster County, 
 Ireland, in 1709. He graduated at the University of Edin- 
 burgh or Glasgow, and came to New Eirgland in 1729. In 
 1734 he was called to preach in Chester, where he was the 
 same year ordained with a salary of £100. Mr. Wilson 
 continued m the ministry at Chester until his death, Feb. 1st, 
 1779. Many of Mr. Wilson's sermons are in existence, and 
 they display much study and ingenuity in their constnrction. 
 He was a peculiarly quiet man, and took no active part in 
 the affairs of the town. In the Eevolution, althorrgh his 
 views were radically Whig, he let nothing draw him from 
 his study. We may here refer to the erection of a new 
 CongTegational Church in 1774. This chirrch, with some 
 changes both interior and exterior, still remains nearly where 
 it was first erected. The men of Chester of a hundred years 
 since retained all the characteristics of their fathers. They 
 were practical men, and cared rrrore for use than ornament. 
 In one instance tliis trait seems to have led them rather into 
 extremes. Wo copy it from the Parish. Eecords for 1743 : 
 ^^ Voted, That where any persons shaU have a pew in the 
 Meeting-house, and there is no window against it, they have 
 liberty to make one ; they maintaining the same." Mr. Flagg 
 continued the sole pastor of the Congregational Church until 
 he was nearly 89 years old. In 1793 we find upon the church 
 record, in Iris own handwriting, the foUovring entry : "Chester 
 May 30th, 1793. This day at a church meeting, regularly 
 appointed, voted Mr. Nathan Bradstreet a call to settle 
 over them in the Gospel ministry." Mr, Bradstreet was 
 settled Oct. 13th, 1793. The parish agreed to pay him £75 
 a year, while Mr. Flagg lived, and £90 a year, after Mr. 
 Flagg's death ; also, the use of a parsonage, worth $900, or 
 the interest of the money. Mr. Bradstreet was settled undea- 
 
CHESTER. 31 
 
 liappy auspices. The church was considered, at this time. 
 
 large and nourishing, consisting of aljout eighty memhers. 
 In a letter of complaint sent to liim from liis church, and 
 approved by two-thirds of the male memhers, a little more 
 than twenty one years after his ordination, we find the fol- 
 lowing 1-auguage : "They saw you initiated into the ministeri- 
 al offices of the jiarish and charged with the pastoral fimctions 
 of the church in this place ; they saw you young, exemplary, 
 and assiduous to pei-form the duties of your charge. With 
 tills flattering example they had anticipated that numbers 
 would have been added to their then large and flourishing 
 church and congregation, and that you, Kevd. sir, would have 
 gone in and out before them, wtjiuld have solaced and sup- 
 ported the faint hearted by jronr conversation and advice, 
 would have tempered and brought down the passions of the 
 stubborn and liigh minded, and, in fine, that you would have 
 proved an example for them in private, and in public, in 
 person, and family." The letter goes on to show that these 
 pleasant, but, it may be, somewhat extravagant anticipations 
 like many similar ones, had not been realized. They comjilain 
 of a general neglect of pastoral duty on the part of the pastor. 
 The church had dwindled from thirty male members to 
 eleven. Mr. Bradstreet, not being; willing; to unite in a call 
 for a mutual council, on the 26th of April 1815, an ex-parte 
 council, called by the major part of the male church mem- 
 bers, met in Chester. In their result they say, " the council 
 must express their decided opinion that, these difficulties de- 
 mand immediate attention, and may, and ought, to be 
 brought to an issue or submitted to a mutual council, in the 
 course of three months from the present time ; but, if an 
 event, so desirable, should not, in that space, be realized, 
 this council, on being notified, wiU again convene in this 
 place, on the third Wednesday of August next, to afford any 
 •further advice and assistance wliich the state of things may 
 require." In tiiis council, Eev. Jeremiah Barnard was mod- 
 erator, Eev. John H. Church was scribe. In compliance 
 with this advice, Mr. Bradstreet agreed to unite in calling a 
 mutual council. In making the arrangements, however, there 
 was a disagreement in regard to the form of the letters mis- 
 sive. The aggrieved members finally recalled their former 
 council with the additicm of two other churches. Tliis coun- 
 cil met in Chester, Oct. 11th, 1815. They persuaded the 
 two parties to unite in calling a mutual council, which was 
 convened in Chester Nov. 7th, 1815, and continued in session 
 ■for eight days. Rev. Mr. Abbott, of Hampton Falls, was 
 iiD.oderator, ;_Bev. Dr. Harris, of Dunljarton, was scribe. — 
 
32 KOCKINGHAM COFNTT, 
 
 Charges against Mr Bradstreet were presented by tlie ag- 
 grieved membere and by Mr. Bradstreet in return. In their 
 result the council say, " In the course of evidence exhibited 
 to this council, they have been convinced that, unless a better 
 underatanding between the pastor, Ms church, and the par- 
 ish in this place, can be had, and that soon, both the com- 
 fort and usefulness of the pastor must be at an end. As 
 peace makers, we reconmiend to them to adjust their differ- 
 ences and be at peace among themselves. But, if attempts 
 should prove unsuccessful, we coi-dially advise the Eev. Mr. 
 Bradstreet to ask a dismission from the church and peo- 
 ple in tliis place ; and we advise the church, and earnestly 
 recommend to the parish, to consent, that a dissohition be 
 effected, in a regular way, as soon as practicable. The coun- 
 cil recommend to the pastor and the church that, an 
 acceptance, by the parties, of this result, should be a final 
 settlement of all their articles of charge against each other." 
 
 Although both parties proposed to accept of the result^ 
 it did not heal the difficulties. Mr. Bradstreet apphed to 
 the parish, instead of the church, for a dismission. This the 
 parish refused to grant. Church meetings were called by a 
 deacon of the church, which appear to have been attended 
 only by the aggrieved members who formed a majority of the 
 church. On the 16th of April, 1816, they passed a vote of 
 censure on Mr. Bradstreet, particularly for " non-compliance 
 with the true spirit and meaning of the result of mutual 
 council," and cited him to appear and answer charges brought 
 against him. At the next meeting, April 22d, Mr. Brad- 
 street was present, but did not give satisfaction, and the 
 church " Voted, that the Rev. Nathan Bradstreet ought^ 
 and he hereby is, suspended from his official duties in this 
 church, as pastor, till the 10th day of May next. If no sat- 
 isfaction is made by him to the church by, or before, that 
 time, they wiU proceed then, to excommunicate him from 
 the body, communion and fellowship of this church." May 
 10th the church met again, and Mr. Bradstreet sent them a 
 communication, requesting that, they " should consent to a 
 dissolution of his pastoral relations to them in the regular 
 way." The church voted, however, that Mr. Bradstreet 
 had not given them satisfaction, and proceeded foimally to- 
 excom.municate him from their body. Stating their reasons- 
 at c-onsiderable length, they say, " We, from a sense of duty 
 to our God, to our fellow beings, and ourselves, and in con- 
 formity to the estabUshed usage of the Congregational chur- 
 ches, in New England, Do, in the name of the Father, Son,. 
 and Holy Ghost, excommunicate the said Nathan Bradstreet 
 
CHESTEE. 33 
 
 from tlie body of this church, its fellowship and communion 
 from this time henceforth and forever more. Amen." Soon 
 after, Mr. Bradstreet and the "three adhering brethren," as 
 they were called, passed votes, separating the seven '' disaf- 
 fected or withdrawn members" from their body. The aggiieved 
 members applied for advice to the Haverhill Association, of 
 which Mr. Bradstreet was a member, at their session in 
 Hampstead, June 11th, 1816. The Association gave some 
 advice to the parties, and voted, at the request of Mr. Brad- 
 street, to hold their next meeting in Chester, and " then 
 attend more particularly to the subject and give such judg- 
 ment and advice as the state of things shall seem to require." 
 Mr. Bradstreet was present and approved of their advice. — 
 The Association met in Chester August 13th, 1816. 
 
 The particular point, in relation to which the Association 
 were called upon to decide, was, whether the pastor or the 
 church had complied with the advice given by the mutual 
 council. After listening to full statements a committee to 
 make a report was appointed, of which Dr. Church was 
 chairman. In the report that was offered, regret was express- 
 ed at the course pursued by both parties, and especially that 
 the church should "so hastily censure, suspend, and excom- 
 municate, their pastor, and especially, as in so doing, their 
 votes were founded on charges and for reasons which, the 
 Association do not feel satisfied would authorize them to 
 excommunicate their pastor." It was affectionately and 
 earnestly recommended, "that the church rescind their votes, 
 and that Mr. Bradstreet and the members with him rescind 
 their votes, which have been passed since the separation. The 
 Association also feel constrained to add, from a tender regard 
 to Mr. Bradstreet as a member of their body, and, to the 
 peace and prosperity of this sister church and religious socie- 
 ty, that, it is their unanimous opinion and advice, that the 
 comfort of Mr. Bradstreet, the edification of this church and 
 the best interests of this parish, require that they should all 
 consent to a separation, on terms favorable to him and them, 
 and, that a mutual council should be called for this purpose, 
 without unnecessary delay." This report was unanimously 
 approved by the Association. Neither the church, nor the 
 pastor, were willing to comply with the advice, and at the 
 next meeting of Association, in Salem, Oct. 8th, 1816, seve- 
 ral members of the church in Chester made communications. 
 Mr. Bradstreet was also present. In the report which the 
 Association unanimously adopted at this time, they declare, 
 " It appears no effectual measures have been taken by eith- 
 er party, to comply with the advice of Association, which was 
 
34 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 given at tlieu- last session. The Association liare no fur- 
 ther athace to give, excejit to urge them to comply with ad- 
 vice already given. And things have come to snch a ciisis, 
 that the Association must insist uj^on a compliance witli their 
 ad^'ice, in order to their continuing in olnistian fellowship 
 either with Mr. Bradstreet or the members of the church 
 who have dissented from him. The Association would how- 
 ever unreservedly express their full conviction that, a dissolu- 
 tion of the pastoral relation lietween Mr. Bradstreet and the 
 church, is indispensable to the comfort of both and the pros- 
 perity of Zion in that place." 
 
 Tlie church, at fii'st, refused to comply with the advice of 
 the Association but finally rescinded their votes of censure 
 and excommunication against Mr. Bradstreet. Mr. Bradstreet 
 and the three " adhering members," also rescinded their votes 
 against the "withdrawn members." At a church meeting 
 held Sept, 12th, 1817, "The pastor . recprested a dismission 
 from his pastoral relations, which request was granted." 
 Tliis action was approved and confirmed by a mutual coun- 
 cil, Oct. 7th of the same year. Thus ended these protracted 
 difficulties. During Mr. Bradstreet's ministry of twenty 
 four years, according to the records kept by liimself, there 
 were twenty seven admissions to the church by profession and 
 letter. Forty three owned the covenant. There were 198 
 baptisms. Eev. Nathan Bradstreet was born in Ips\vich Ms. 
 1770, graduated at Dartmouth 1791, studied Theology at 
 NewbuiTport, was settled Oct. 30th, 1793, dismissed Sejit. 
 12th, 1817, and died, (committed suicide,) Jan. 29, 1827. 
 
 Mr. Leonard Jewett of HoUis was next employed and 
 preached nearly a year, and his health failed. 
 
 In December 1819, a call was given by the church and pa- 
 rish, to Mr. Joel E. Arnold, to settle over them in the gos- 
 ])el ministry. He accepted this call and was ordained, March 
 8th, 1820. He was settled on the condition that, the con- 
 nection might be dissolved at the oj)tion of either party, by 
 giving six months notice. Tliis ministry was a very suc- 
 cessful one. It was the era of revivals, and the church in 
 Chester was richly blessed. During his ministry there were 
 110 additions to the church ; 34 adult, and 90 infant bap- 
 tisms. He was dismissed March 31st, 1830. It is said that 
 only one member of his church could lie induced to vote 
 against him. The opposition to lum was out of the church. 
 
 In August of 1830 the church and parish extended a call 
 to Eev. Jonathan Clement, D. D., which was accepted. He 
 was settled Oct. 13th of the same year. During Mr. Clem- 
 ent's stay in Chester there were extensive re^dvals, in which 
 
DEERFIELD. 35 
 
 his people laff;x'ly sliaiwl. In the course of his ministry 
 there were "207 additions to the eliui-ch. Only 12 adult bap- 
 tisms are recorded, and 194 infant baptisms. Mr. Clement 
 was dismissed by a mutual council Sept. 10th, 1845. He was 
 a graduate of Middlebury College in 1818. ¥ov ten yeara he 
 was teacher at Pliillips Academy, Andover. The present 
 pastor, Kev. Lauren Armsby, began to preach in Chester Jan. 
 1846, received, and in April accepted a call, and was settled 
 May 27th. He graduated at Amherst 1842. Duiing his 
 ministry there have been 84 additions to the church — 18 adult 
 baptisms and 41 infant baptisms. There are now 195 mem- 
 bers in the church. 
 
 DANVILLE. 
 
 By a legislative enactment, Dan\Tille ^N'as iiicoiiiorated, 
 Feb. 22, 17G0. It is not known when a cluu-ch originated 
 here, but it is supposed to have been previous to the settle- 
 ment of a pastrir. Great sacrifices must have been made to 
 secure the administration of the gospel, for, sixty years after 
 the church was formed, there were but 228 souls in town. 
 Yet, in less than three years after they Iiecamc a to^vn, they 
 united in calling to the work of the ministry Mr. John Page 
 a native of Salem, and a graduate of Harvard. He was or- 
 dained Dec. 21, 1763, and exercised liis ministry for twenty 
 years, until death removed him from the scenes of earthly 
 toil, Jan. 29, 1783. The sell-denial which estabhshed the 
 gospiel here would probably have continued to sustain it, had 
 the town been united, and left to its own course. The church 
 has become one of the things that were, — very little^ religious 
 influence is felt in the place. 
 
 DEERFIELD. 
 
 Rev. U. W. COMUT. 
 
 There is nothing in the town or church records I'clating to 
 the organization of the Congregational church. But, in the 
 town records, we find tliis account of the organization of the 
 parish. '' Anno Regis Georgii tertii, Magna; Britaniaj, 
 Francas, et Hiberniaa, sexto : [Seal.] An act for erecting 
 and incorporating a new parish, in the North westerly part 
 of the Town of Nottingham in this province." The rea&ons 
 
36 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 assigned by the petitioners for a new parish were, that they 
 had to go ten miles to meeting, and that they were able to 
 maintain religious worship as a distinct parish. George III. 
 came to the throne, 1760 ; the new parish of Deerfield was, 
 therefore, incorporated in 1766, and, doubtless, the church 
 was imnrediately organized. 
 
 Kev. Timothy Upham was the first pastor of this church, 
 having been ordained to the work of the ministry, in 1772, 
 six years after the parish was organized. We find the fol- 
 lowing record of his death: "Feb. 21,1811, Departed this 
 life, in the sixty fourth year of his age, after having continued 
 among us, nearly forty years, a prudent, active and faithful 
 labourer in Christ's Vineyard, the Rev. Timothy Upham. He 
 was taken as we_,trust to heaven, to receive the reward of hia 
 faithfid and long continued labours." 
 
 Eev. Nathaniel WeUs, of the town of Wells in Maine, 
 was ordained pastor of this church, July 1, 1812., and con- 
 tinued his labors till September 1841, a period of twenty- 
 nine years. He still lives, an ornament to the profession he 
 so long adorned ; beloved by all who know him ; revered by 
 those who have grown up by his side, and under his influ- 
 ence ; a great help to the present pastor of the church by 
 his earnest jjrayers, and hearty sympathy, and patriarchal 
 example. Wlien father Wells retired from the pastorate, 
 the church and society kindly gave him the parsonage and 
 farm, on which he lives in quiet retirement, " leaning upon 
 the top of his staff," and calmly awaiting his summons to 
 depart and be with Christ. 
 
 Eev. Ephraim N. Hidden was ordained pastor of this 
 church Sept. 1841, and continued his services till Oct, 1849. 
 
 Rev. William A. Patten was ordained pastor of this church 
 church July 18, 1850, and continued his services till July 
 21, 1852. 
 
 Rev. U. W. Condit was installed jDastor of this church, 
 July 10, 1855, and is the present pastor. From the dismiss- 
 ion of Eev. W. A. Patten to the settlement of the present 
 pastor the pulpit was supplied by Rev. W. A. Fobes and 
 E. F. Abbott. In order to show the efforts of the early set- 
 tlers to establish the gospel here, and their high apprecia- 
 tion of religious privileges, we transcribe the terms upon 
 which the first pastor was settled. " Voted, that the parish 
 agree to allow Mr. Timothy Upham £ 60 lawful money, 
 for the first year's salar^y, to begin the first day of March 
 next, and to add £ 5 yearly, till it amounts to £ 75, and to 
 continue the same salary so long as he continues a regular 
 miuister ; and Hkewise, to build a house on the parsonage 
 
DEEKFIBLD. 37 
 
 lott where the Meeting-house was framed, forty two by thirty 
 two, two stories high, with a commodious cellar, and well, 
 the outside to be enclosed so as to be comfortable, and two 
 rooms to be finished according to country mode, w^ithin 
 one year from this date ; meaning, to consult ■\vitli our 
 Elected pastor ; the other part of the house to be finished in 
 four years from this date. A barn to be built, tliirty two by 
 thirty, ^^'ithin one year from this date ; likewise, to keep 
 his horse for one year from the said first of March ; the sec- 
 ond year, one horse and one cow ; the third year, one horse 
 and two cows, and after that time, we engage, that there 
 shall be land enough cleared on the parsonage, to keep two 
 cows, line horse and ten sheep, summer and winter, in a 
 middling season, and to be well fenced, and we must keep 
 said fence in repair, h^it, the meaning is that the said Mr. 
 Upham shall have the whole proffits of the parsonage, except 
 wood and timber, so long as he continues to be a regular 
 Minister of the Gospel, according to the congregational con- 
 stitution ; and also, twenty five cords of wood att liis house 
 yearly, and his salary to begin from the time of liis settle- 
 ment according to the proposal for the first year, till the said 
 first day of March commences." Such care and kindness, on 
 the part of the people must have awakened in the mind of 
 the pastor, the Hvehest interest in their welfare and must 
 have cemented a union which lasted nearly forty years, and 
 then only terminated by death. With like care the people 
 of this i)arish have ever watched over the wants of their 
 spiritual shepherd, as anxious for his comfort as for their own. 
 Kev. Mr. Wells settled in 1812, with a salary of $ 400 and 
 an ample parsonage ; Rev. Messrs. Hidden and Patten set- 
 tled, each, with a salary of $ 500. Rev. U. W. Condit, 
 settled in 1855, with a salary of $ GOO. A house of worslnp 
 was erected, it is believed, soon after the settlement of the first 
 minister. The frame ot this house was raised on ground 
 given by Stephen Bachelder, but before it was covered, it 
 was taken down by vote of the parish, and removed to Chaise's 
 HiU. The Meeting-house remained on this mount of Grod, 
 through the ministry of Rev. Mr. Upham, and, till near the 
 close of Rev. Mr. Well's ministry, when it was taken do^vn, 
 converted into the present town-house, and the present 
 house of worship erected. The parish is now providing a 
 new and commodious Parsonage. As nearly as can be ascer- 
 tained, there have been 262 members of the church since its 
 organization. It now numbers 105. There have been 174 
 infant Ijaptisms. The duty of infant consecration has _ of 
 late been pressed upon the people, with a desire to bring 
 
OO EOCKINGHAM COUNTY 
 
 ]\ick the cliiu-cli, t(i its original affection fljv tliis doc.^t™*' of 
 training up our cliildren for tlie elmrcli of God. 
 
 We have no account of revivals, in this chrrrcli, till 1831, 
 when the Sjdrit was poured out in great power. To give an 
 idea of this work we cite an incident. The yorrngest son of 
 Eev. Mr. Wells was then a hoy ahout ten years of age, and 
 attending school. On a pleasarrt day, one of the scholars, a 
 little older than himself, invited him to go into the woods, 
 without revealing liis purposes. And when lie arrived in the 
 shade of the green woods, he was sru-})rised to find a numher 
 of little groups holding prayer )rreetings in nature's temple. — 
 Alxiut 60 were gathered into tlie clmrch. Kevivals also oc- 
 curred in 1835 and 1838 hringing in 50 memhers. To show 
 the high value set u}ion a pastor hy our ancestors, we relate 
 the folloAving facts. After father W^ells had accepted a call 
 from the parisli, tlie jieople made arrangements to move his 
 lamil)' and effects. A nundjer of carriages were sent to con- 
 vey his family and furniture, and when the p)astor and fam- 
 ily had arrived at Nottingham Sij^uare, they were met by a 
 procession of al (Out forty ea*t4ftge+!, and escorted to the par- 
 sonage. And when arrived at the parsonage, the company 
 formed themselves into lines extending from the street seve- 
 ral rods, to the entianco of the liouse, between Vvdiich the 
 pastor and his fimiily passed to his future home, to meet with 
 such an entertainment as his parishioners knew, so well, how 
 to provide. Forty years have passed, and when reciting this 
 incident, the venerable countenance of the aged pastor was 
 lighted up wdtli pleasant smiles, and tears came, rmbidden, in 
 j'emembrance of such kindness from friends who, with three 
 or four exceptions, have passed away. There are now 116 
 members in the church. There is n(jt a jilace in town where 
 intoxicating drinks are sold as a beverage. 
 
 DEERY. 
 
 First CnLT.CF.— Rev. J. W. Wet.lmax. 
 
 On the 12th of April 1719, old style, under a large oak, 
 at the east end of lake Tsienneto,* as the Indians named it, 
 or Beaver Pond, as it is now more commonly called, Eev. Jas. 
 McGregore delivered from Isaiah 32 : 2, the first sermon ever 
 preached in Derry, then called Nuffield. The preacher was 
 a Scotch Presliyterian minister, "of distinguished talents." 
 His audience was a company of Scotch Irisli emigrants from 
 
 * Pronounced, Slio-nc'-lo. 
 
DEBRY, 3§ 
 
 the nortli of Irolaml, who, only the dnj before, had reached the 
 shores of this beautiful lake, then embosomed iu an unljroken 
 wdderness. Soon after this, those jiious emigrants, sixteen 
 lamiKes in all, organized themselves into a church and society, 
 modeled after the Presbyterian form, and presented to Mr- 
 McGregore a formal call to become their pastor. As there 
 was then no Presbytery in New England, they found their 
 church polity nut applicable to all the exigencies of the church 
 luilitant. They therefore cheertuUy conformed, for the time 
 being, to the principles of Independency, and on an apjjoiuted 
 day, with ap)propriate religious services, the minister received 
 the people as his pastoral charge, and they received him as 
 their pastor. The text from which Mr. McGregore preached 
 liis own installation sermon was Bzekiel 37 : 26. He had 
 received ordination in Ireland to the work of the ministry. 
 Thus was firmed the first Presbyterian church in New 
 England. At a communion season forrr years aftei-, there 
 was present t^vo hundred and thirty commuiaicants. On a 
 similar occasion, some ten years after the formation of the 
 church, there were i)resent three hundred and seventy five. 
 Mr. McGregore died March 5, 1729, aged seventy two, "His 
 personal appearance was commanding ; his stature, tall and 
 erect," "He jjossessed a vigorous and discriminating mind," 
 and "was strictly evangehcal, in Ms doctrinal views, and 
 peculiary spiritual and experimental, in his preaching," He 
 was "a ^^dse, affectionate, and laitliful guide to his people both 
 in civil and religious matters. His name and memory were 
 most tenderly cherished by Ids bereaved fiock and succeeding 
 generations." 
 
 Very soon after the death of Mr. McGregore, the Kev. 
 Matthew Clark was invited to officiate as minister, but was 
 not installed as the pastor of the parish. Mr. Clark, at tliis 
 time was aljout 70 years of age. He had been a military 
 officer in the Protestarrt army in Ireland, and served at the 
 memorable siege of Londonderry. Subsefjucntly he became 
 a preacher of the gospel, and followed some of his C(_)mpianions 
 in arms, and other friends, to this town. He nrai'iicd, as Ins 
 third wife, the widow of Mr. McGregore. He srrpjdied the 
 pulpit and performed pastoral labor for the people, for about 
 four years, when he girwe up his charge to a regularly installed 
 successor. He died Jan. 25, 1735, aged seventy six. At 
 the communion season Oct. 8, 1732, six hundred communi- 
 cants were present. Oct. 6, 1734, only fifteen years after the 
 foiTnation of the church, seven hundred were present This 
 large number of communicants was owing to several causes ; 
 firstj to the fact that the standard of qualification for church 
 
40 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 membership in the Scotch Presbyterian church, is such, that 
 any person of good moral character, and of ordinary intelli- 
 gence upon the doctrines of the catechism, who will give his 
 assent to the creed of the church, can be admitted ; secondly, 
 to the fact that there were but two sacramental seasons in the 
 year, to which the people attached the greatest importance, 
 attending meeting for religious services and preaching, on 
 Thursday, Friday, and Saturday immediately preceding the 
 communion Sabbath, and also, on the Monday immediately 
 following ; and thirdly, to the fact, that it was then custo- 
 mary for the people of the neighboring towns, especially for 
 those who had gone out from this town to come, on these 
 occasions, and participate with the church in this sacred 
 observance;^- Still, it is probable that the number of resident 
 members was very large, including, as it doubtless did, by 
 far the larger portion of the inhabitants of the town. 
 
 In 1732, the town commissioned Mr. Robert Boyes to go 
 to Ireland, and, with the assistance of Rev. Mr. McBride of 
 Ballymony, select and invite "a suitable, well quahfied, and 
 accredited minister to take charge of them in the Lord, en- 
 gaging to pay any one who should consent to come, £140 
 annually, besides the expenses of his voyage, and also, to 
 give him, as a settlement, one half of a home-lot and a hun- 
 dred-acre out-lot. In Oct. 1733, Mr. Boyes returned with 
 the Rev, Thomas Thompson, who, on the eve of his depar- 
 ture was ordained by the Presbytery of Tyrone, as pastor of 
 the colonial church in Londonderry. Mr. Thompson was 
 twenty-nine years of age when he came to the people of his 
 charge, and he labored with them only five years, when he 
 died, Sept. 22, 1738. He was a very faithful and accepta- 
 ble pastor, and under his labors the church was'much enlarged. 
 During his connection with the church, it had the largest 
 number of communicants which it has ever had, having, in 
 one instance, at least seven hundred present at the com- 
 munion season. On some of these occasions, the number 
 was so large, according to the traditions of the people, that 
 they were obbged to hold the services of the sacrament in 
 the open air. 
 
 In 1739, the parish and church extended a call to the Rev. 
 William Davidson, engaging to give him £160, as a settle- 
 ment, and the same sum, annually, as his salary. ■•■' Mr. 
 Davidson was installed in 1740. He married the widow of 
 
 * Every ihing considered, probably few ministers if any, now in the Slate, receive a 
 salary so large as this. Mr. Davidson received, including his settlement, three hundred 
 and twenty pounds, the iirstyear. At that lime the Governor of the colony received one 
 hundred pounds. But, at the present lime, a clerk in a rail-road office receives a larger 
 salary than tlie great majority of the ministers of the State. 
 
PERRY. 11 
 
 Mr.Thompson his predecessor, and was the pastor of the church 
 for more than fifty years. He died Feb. 15th, 1791, aged 
 seventy-seven years. He was born in Ireland, and was edu- 
 cated at the university in Scotland, graduating, in 1733, at 
 the early age of nineteen. He is described as having been 
 peculiarly inild and amiable in liis disposition, and sincerely 
 devoted to the interests of his people, by whom he was 
 gTcatly beloved. He was not an exact theologian, nor a very 
 effective preacher. It was during his ministry that the 
 ■' great awakening" occurred in New England. At this time, 
 the celebrated Whitefield preached in Londonderiy, and the 
 West Parish in the town, to a very considerable degree, ]mr- 
 ticipated in the general awakening of the chui-ches. But 
 Mr. Davidson, who was pastor of the East Parish, gave the 
 new movement no countenance whatever. In tliis he was sus- 
 tained by his people, and consequently his church remained 
 unblest. Subsequently, the discipline of the church was so 
 much neglected, and vital piety so much declined, that there 
 was scarcely an}' distinction between the church and the 
 world. 
 
 After the death of Mr. Davidson, the church remained 
 vacant for about four years. In 1795, a caU was extended 
 to the Rev. Jonathan Brown, and he was ordained as pastor 
 of the church, l;>y the Londonderry Presbytery. A large mi- 
 nority of the parish, however, made a determined opposition 
 to his settlement, and earnestly remonstrated against his or- 
 dination. But tlie Presbytery disregarded the remonstran- 
 ces, and placed him over the church. The minority subse- 
 quently withdrew from the parish and formed a Congrega- 
 tional church and Society, the latter of wliich was incor|iorated 
 by an act of the Legislature under the name of the " Third 
 Parish in Londonderry." This Congregational Church main- 
 tained separate worship for about twelve years. Mr. Brown's 
 ministiy continued until Sept. 1804, about nine years, when 
 " in consequence of renewed opposition and alleged impru- 
 dences," he was dismissed, at his own request. He was never 
 again settled in the ministiy. He died in February 1838, 
 eighty years of age. 
 
 In 1809 the First (or Presbyterian) Parish, and the Third 
 (or Congregational) Parish, chose a joint committee to con- 
 sider their differences, and to draft articles of agreement, 
 with a view to unite the two parishes. The articles of agree- 
 ment, reported by this committee, were adopted, with slight 
 amendments, by both Societies, and thus the two parishes 
 were made one. These articles of agreement prescribed, 
 among other things, that the minister of the parish should be 
 4 
 
42 
 
 EOCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 ordained by "a convention of ministers and delegates" selec- 
 ted by the candidate and the parish ; also, that, in any case 
 of disciidine, if any appeal is made, it should be made to a 
 " convention of niinisters and delegates ;" and, "that, in case 
 of any dispute arising between the church and minister, the 
 same shall be submitted to a convention of ministers and 
 delegates." They hkewise prescribed that, the church shoidd 
 be governed by the minister and a committee of twelve 
 men, members of the church, which committee should bo 
 chosen by the parish once in three years. But in no respect 
 do these articles recognize any allegiance, on the 2)art of the 
 church, to the Presbytery. Soon after, the new parish was 
 incorporated by an act of the Legislature under the name of 
 " The First Parish in Londonderry." After the union of the 
 two parishes, the two churches took measures to effect a 
 corresponding union. They " mutually chose a committee 
 of six members to draft articles of agreement." At a subse- 
 quent meeting of the two churches, the rejiort of the com- 
 mittee, including a creed and covenant for the proposed new 
 church, was adopted. At the same meeting, the two chur- 
 ches took the following action : " Voted, to resolve ourselves 
 into one church, engaging to walk together corresponding to 
 the articles of agreement upon which our union is founded, 
 according to the ordinances of the gospel." Thus a hapjoy 
 union was effected, and the bitter alienations and animosities 
 of the several j^receding years began to be buried. The new 
 church was essentially Congregational in its form, fully rec- 
 ognizing the doctrines of the independency of each local 
 church and the propriety of advice and aid from sister chur- 
 ches. Its creed and covenant was also the same, in substance, 
 that are usually adopted in the Evangelical Congregational 
 churches of New England. In consequence of this change, 
 a few members of the old Presbyterian church refused to unite 
 with the new church, but they occasioned no serious difficul- 
 ty. TMs church has continuedunchanged in its form of gov- 
 ernment down to the present time. It was originally called, 
 The First Church in Londonderry. Its name now is, The 
 First Church in DerryS' 
 
 On the 7th of May'lSlO, the First Parish voted to extend 
 a call to the Eev. Edward L. Parker. The call having been 
 accepted, in accordance vrith the articles of agreement, letters 
 missive were sent to several churches, convening an Ecclesias- 
 tical council, which ordained Mr. Parker on the 12th of Sept. 
 
 * In Ihe year 1828 the town of Londonderry wbs divided into two towns, the eastern 
 division receiving the name of Derry, and the western division retaining the name of 
 Londonderry. 
 
DERRY. 43, 
 
 1810. He was born in Litchfield, N. H., graduated at Dart- 
 month, and pnrsned his theological studies, partly under 
 Prof. Shnrtletf of Dartmouth, and partly under Dr. Wor- 
 cester of Salem, Ms. His ministry of forty years in Derry, 
 was one of great usefulness. He has been called a model 
 jxiMor. He was a man of untiring diligence, and was whol- 
 ly devoted to the work of " sa^-ing himself and those that 
 lieard him." It has often been said that his life is appropri- 
 ately written, in the emphatic words inscribed upon his tomb 
 stone : " Not slotliful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the 
 Lord." During his long pastorate, the church enjoyed an 
 unusual degree of harmony and p>rosperity. The articles of 
 agreement which had so auspiciously united the two chur- 
 ches and parishes, remained essentially unchanged, and conse- 
 quently, the organization of the church and parish was the 
 same at the end, as at the beginning, of liis ministry. "•■'■■ Dur- 
 ing these forty years, there were "repeated and powerful 
 manifestations of divine grace." There were eight revivals 
 of rehgion. As the result of one of these seasons of religious 
 interest, that of 1837-8, over one hundred persons were added 
 to the church, and ninety-six of them upon a single sabbath. 
 Mr. Parker died July 14th, 1850, aged 66, and was buried 
 in the same cemetery with Ms five predecessors in the minis- 
 terial office. Barely can it be said of a church, as old as 
 tliis, that all its pastors down to the present, sleep together 
 in its own church yard. 
 
 The present pastor, Kev. J. W.Wellman,was ordained June 
 18, 1851. The church and society proceeded in this case, as 
 in the case of Mr Parker, according to the articles of Agree- 
 ment, and ordained their pastor, elect, by an Ecclesiastical 
 council. The number of members now in the church is two 
 hundred and fifty-two. 
 
 DEKEY. 
 
 First Co.N'gregational Ciiuech. — Rev. E. G. Parsons. 
 
 The Lower Village in Derry lies upon the Turnpike, about 
 a mile from the First Parish Meeting-house. Pinkerton 
 Academy is established here. The concentration of business 
 and population at this place, created a necessity for a sepa- 
 
 * Mr. Parker was himself a Presbyterian and a member of the Londonderry Presbyler>'; 
 and during his ministry his church was represented at the meetings of llie Presbytery by 
 a delegate. This occasioned the very general impression that this was a strictly Presby- 
 terian church. It should be known, however, that the Articles of Agreement do not 
 recognize any Presbytery. 
 
44 
 
 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 s: 
 
 s 
 
 rate place of worsliip. A Meeting-house was erected by the 
 Methodists, in which enterprise many of tire peojile of tlie 
 village who were not of this persuasion, united. The re- 
 moval of the place of worsliip in Londonderry to a more dis- 
 tant point, induced a considerable number of families, living 
 in the vicinity of the Village, to unite with the people here. 
 In the year 1837 measures were taken "to form a Congre- 
 gational Church." A Council met Aug. 3, 1837, and organ- 
 ized " The First Congregational Church in Derry" with 
 ixty-four members, — twenty males, and forty-four females, 
 of whom forty came from the First Church, and twenty- 
 three from the church in Londonderry, and one from Pel- 
 ham. In the course of a few months, tliirteen others were 
 received by letter. In the same year the Society erected a 
 neat and convenient Meeting-house. 
 
 Mr. Pliny P. Day, a recent graduate from Andover, was 
 ordained pastor Oct. 4, 1837. . Mr. Day's ministry was con- 
 tinued here tliirteen and a half years, when, early in the 
 year 1851, he was, at his own request, dismissed. 
 
 On the first day of Oct. following, Eev. E. Gr. Parsons, 
 the present pastor, was installed. In the course of Mr. Day' 
 ministry this church witnessed, on several occasions, a share 
 of the special, divine influence, graciously bestowed upon the 
 town. It received, in fourteen years, in addition to the 
 original sixty four members, from the world, one hundred 
 and twenty persons ; and by letter, forty-seven, making the 
 whole nmnber added to the church, one hundred and sixty- 
 six. During the same period, there were removed by death, 
 twelve males, twenty seven females ; by dismission, twenty 
 four males, thirty-nine females ; and by exclusion, six 
 males ; total removals, one hundred and eight ; leaving, 
 Oct. 1851, one hundred and twenty two members, of whom 
 twenty four were non-residents. Since the latter date, the 
 church has received eleven by profession, and by letter, fif- 
 teen. Nine have been removed by death, and nine by letter. 
 Present numlaer, Oct, 1, 1855, one hundred and tliirty, of 
 whom twenty are non-residents. During the last tliree years, 
 this church and society have, at their annual collections for 
 objects of Christian benevolence, increased in every instance, 
 the amount contributed the jireceding years for the same 
 object. 
 
 This church, from the beginning, has struggled against the 
 inconvenience of its situation, between largely endowed par- 
 ishes On two sides of it, having no endowment of its own 
 except the annual liberahty of its members and friends.. It 
 also suifers from the decline of business, and removal, or 
 
EPPING. 45 
 
 death of manj^ of its most important supporters. A portion 
 of the }iopulation cliangos fretpiently, and tlie new eomers 
 are not always in sympathy mth the Congregational faith. — 
 A large proportion of the youth betake themselves to more 
 im^ting tiolds of enterprise or duty. Yet, through divine 
 grace, the church, and the society connected with it, hold 
 their own, at least, and are disposed to trust in Grod and go 
 forward. It is a fact of interest that, at the present mo- 
 ment, six of the young men of the congregation are mem- 
 bers of college, all of whom are hopefully pious, and most of 
 whom will, ])robably, become ministers of the gospel. Much 
 interest is felt in the education of the young of both sexes. 
 
 EPPING. 
 
 There are several fine streams of water jjassiug through 
 this town wliicli diversify the face of the country, and jdace it 
 among the more 2:)leasant to\^'Tis in the State. It was settled 
 early, being a part of Exeter, from wliich it was taken, and 
 incorporated, Feb. 12, 1741. The sentiments of the primary 
 settlers were Orthodox. 
 
 A church was organized and Rev. Robert Cutler settled, 
 Dec. 9, 1747. He was a native of Cambridge, Ms., a grad- 
 uate of Harvard in 1741, and continued in the pastoral office 
 until Dec. 23, 1755, a period of eight years ; 101 were added 
 to the church in his time. At his dismission a charge of 
 immoral conduct was preferred against him. He was settled 
 again however in Greenwich, Ms. in 1760, and there he went 
 to his reward, Feb. 24, 178G, aged sixty eight years. 
 
 Eev. Josiah Stearns, was settled as pastor here, March 8th, 
 1758, and his pastorate and Iris life terminated, July 25, 1788. 
 He was born at Bdleriea, Ms., a graduate of Harvard 1751. 
 He was a descendant from Isaac Stearns, who came from 
 England with Gov. Wentworth, in 1630. He was no ordinary 
 man. Tall in jierson, of an easy address, devoutly pious, clear, 
 full and jiersuasive in his sermons, sober, tender, impressive 
 in conversation, he was fitted to exert great influence. The 
 Meeting-house was often crowded with listeners to his earnest 
 appeals. He read other books, but Dr. Thayer of Kingston 
 said of him, "^7ie Bible especially ivas his lihrary." He was an 
 unwavering friend of liberty. He sent his sons into the field, 
 and, it is said, made large pecuniary sacrifices for the Amer- 
 ican cause. As he reached home from a State convention 
 in Exeter, he called his children together, told them that he 
 
46 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 had joledged liimself for freedom against English rale and 
 tyranny, and added, "If the cause prevail, it will be a great 
 blessing to the country, but if it should tail, your poor old 
 father's head will soon be a button for a halter." 347 persons 
 were added to the church during his ministry, and 1060 were 
 baptized. Some of his sermons were pjrinted. He suffered 
 long and severely but in much patience, with a cancer, of 
 which he died, aged fifty seven years, after a ministry here of 
 more than thirty years. 
 
 Rev. Peter Holt was settled, Feb. 27, 1793, and dismissed 
 April 25, 1821 — a ministry of twenty eight years. He was 
 a native of Andovcr, Ms., a graduate of Harvard, 1790. He 
 subsequently settled in Peterborough. He died March 23, 
 1851. He was a man of great worth. Sixty seven persons 
 joined the church in his time. 
 
 Rev. Forest Jefferds, a native of Wells, Me. and graduate 
 of Bangor Theo. Sem., 1825, settled here, October 25, 1826, 
 and remained tiU Oct. 30, 1831, — five years. Fifteen individ- 
 uals became members of the church under his ministry. — 
 Rev. Mr. Utley and Rev. J. LeBosquet supphed for a time. 
 
 Rev. Calvin Chapman, the fifth pastor of the church, a 
 native of Bethel Me., graduate of Bowdoin in 1839, of Andover 
 in 1842, was settled Dec. 8, 1842, and continued till April 
 14, 1845. Ninteen were received to fellowship in the church 
 by him. Rev. Enoch Corser was a stated supply for some 
 time, after Mr. Chapman left. 
 
 Rev. Lyman White, a native of Roxbury, and, in 1846, 
 a graduate of Dartmouth, and of Andover in 1849, was em- 
 ployed by the church. May 16, 1849, and was settled Jan. 4, 
 1854, and remained as pastor about one year. During 
 Mr. White's faithful labors of nearly six years, considerable 
 increase of the congregation was witnessed and a great in- 
 crease in the zeal of the peoj)le in securing pecuniary means 
 of support for the ministry. New families Irom different parts 
 of the town took seats in the house of worship; the Sabbath 
 School had a hundred attendants. His ministry was a useful 
 one. He has been employed in Easton, Ms. since leaving 
 Epping. Sixteen persons joined the church during his labors 
 here. It is a beautiful to^vn, there is a pleasant, convenient 
 liouse of worship, other denominations are not covering the 
 ground fully; it should enjoy the ministry of the gospel con- 
 stantly, and is abundantly able to sustain 'it. Present 
 number of the church, 50. Population in 1820, 1558 ; in 
 1850, 1623. 
 
EXETKK. 47 
 
 EXETEE. 
 
 First Church. 
 
 In 1638, a settlement was begun here by John Wheel- 
 right and others. They tbrmed a cixil compact, and chose 
 their magistrates in popular assemblies. Wheelright pur- 
 chased of the Indians, in 1629, the conntry between the 
 Merrimack and Piscataqna rivers. In consequence of lus 
 opinions he had been banished from the colony of Massachu- 
 setts. For an account of the nature of his offence, the reader 
 is referred to the History of Hampton in tliis work. In the 
 year 1638 also, a church of eight members was formed by 
 liini and those who, as his adherents, had been dismissed 
 from the church in Boston. After three years, Exeter came 
 under the rule of the colony that banished him. M^heel- 
 right and liis friends removed to Wells in Maine, and the 
 church was broken up. An attempt to form another church 
 in Exeter, was forbidden by the General Court on account of 
 their divisions. 
 
 Rev. Samuel Dudley was the next minister. His term of 
 service continued from 1650 to Feb. 10, 1683, the day of 
 his death. No church is kno-nm to have existed during this 
 ministry of thirty three years. Mr. Dudley was a son of 
 Gov. Dudley, of whose character Farmer speaks in terms of 
 liigh approval. Cotton Mather gives him the credit of hav- 
 ing done much, by the " orthodox piety" which controlled his 
 administration of civil affairs, to save the country "from the 
 contagion of the famalistic errors, which had like to have 
 overturned aU." His zeal in this direction has Ijeen warmly 
 censured by many who hold loose notions. But "the candid 
 and judicious," Farmer says of the Puritans generally, "will, 
 rather W(jnder at the wisdom of the views, the disinterested 
 nobleness of principle, the self-sacrificihg heroism of those 
 wonderful men to whom the world is indebted for the most 
 perfect institutions of civil and religious freedom known 
 among men." From the character of the father that of the 
 son may be anticipated. He is spoken of as a "person of 
 good capacity and learning." He received a caU to settle in 
 Portsmouth in 1656, which he declined. 
 
 The third minister of Exeter, the Eev. John Clark, was 
 settled and a church was organized at the same time, consist- 
 ing of twenty eight persons, nearly one half of whom were 
 dismissed from Hampton church to be organized here. The 
 ancient Volume of the Piecords begins thus : " The order of 
 proceeding in gathering a particular church in Exetei'. Af- 
 ter conferring together and being mutually satisfied in each 
 
48 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 other, we drew up a confession of fiiith, and the terms of 
 the covenant, which we all sie;ned, the Sabbath before the or- 
 dination." Mr. Clark was ordained Sept. 21st, 1698. And 
 the record continues, "we were, by the elders and messengers 
 of the several churches, oicned as a church of Christ, and 
 John Clark declared to be a minister of Christ Jesirs." He 
 was born in Newbury, Ms., Jan. 24, 1670. He continued in 
 his work at Exeter lurtil his death on the 25th of July, 1705, 
 ha-\dng been pastor of the church about seven years. His 
 family connections were highly respectable. He died in the 
 strength of manhood. One of his sons was first minister 
 of Kingston. 
 
 The fourth minister of Exeter and the second pastor of 
 the present "First Church," was Rev. John Odlin. He was 
 born in Boston, Nov. 18, 1681. In 1702 he graduated 
 at Harvard, and was ordained at Exeter, Nov. 11, 1706. — 
 He married the widow of his predecessor. He was one of 
 the proprietors of Gilmanton, and his son John Odlin was 
 one of the first settlers of that town. Mr. Odlin died Nov. 
 20, 1754, at about seventy three years of age. In May, 
 1743, "a number of the church were separated from their 
 communion" — tliis was preparatory to the formation of a 
 second church, which was effected in 1748. 
 
 In May, 1743, the church voted "to concur with the town 
 in choosing Mr. Woodbridge Odlin to settle as a (JoUeagxhe 
 with his honored father the Eev. John Odlin." He was or- 
 dained Sept. 28, 1743. His father preached the sermon 
 from Col. 1 : 28, at his son's settlement, and lived to enjoy 
 liis ministry nearly eleven years. During this jiastorate of 
 thirty-two j^ears, thirty-six persons came into the church, 
 and 1276 baptisms were administered. The " Half-way 
 Covenant" was in use here — " all persons of correct senti- 
 ments and sober life, might profess religion and have their 
 children baptized, though they did not come to the Lord's 
 Table." 
 
 Rev. Isaac Mansfield was the next minister, — ordained 
 Oct. 9th, 1776. The sermon was preached by Rev. Mr. 
 Thayer of Hampton, from Ezekiel 33 : 7 — 9. The Charge 
 was given by Rev. Mr. Fogg of Kensington ; the Right 
 Hand, by the Rev. Mr. Webster of the second church in 
 Salisbury ; the Ordaining Prayer was offered by the Rev. Mr. 
 Noyes of the first church in Salisbury. Mi-. Mansfield was 
 born at Marblehead, Ms., 1750, and was a graduate of 
 Harvard, 1767. In Aug. 1787, " according to his agreement 
 with the parish," he was dismissed by a coimcil of three 
 churches, of which Messrs. Fogg, Langdon and McChntock 
 
EXETER. 49 
 
 were pastors. The council sa_y of liim, " We are constrained 
 by duty and love to testify the sense wo have of the valua- 
 ble ministerial gifts with which Gud hatli furnished Mr. 
 Mansfield, and wliich have been well approved, laot only 
 among Iris owrr people, but by the churches in tliis vicinity." 
 Two hundred and forty five were bajjtized dining his minis- ^ 
 try of eleven years, and twelve persons were admitted to the 
 church. After his dismission he removed to Marlilehead. — 
 He became a magistrate. He died in Boston, in 1826, at 
 the age of seventy six. 
 
 This parish received its seventh minister, Juno 2d, 1790, 
 when Eev. AVm. F. Rowland was ordained its pastor. A 
 native of Plainfield, Conn, in 1761, he was a graduate of 
 Dartmonth in 1784. Eev. Dr. Thatcher, of Boston, preach- 
 ed, and Dr. Langdon oflered prayer, Rev. Dr. McClintoek 
 gave the Right Hand. After a ministry of thirty eight 
 years, at his own request, he was dismissed, Dec. 5, 1828, — 
 He died at the age of eighty two, in the year 1843. Rev. 
 Mr. Hurd, the minister of the second church, preached 
 his funeral sernron. During his ministry 128 persons joined 
 the church, and there were 295 baptisms. He was a man of 
 good abilities, and in prayer had great freedom and apparent 
 access to God. 
 
 Rev. Jolm Smith, the next minister of tliis people, was a 
 native of Weathersfield Conn. He graduated at Yale in 
 1821. He was installed March 12, 1829. Sermon by Rev, 
 N. Bouton, D. D. ; Prayer by Rev. Mr. Miltimore of New- 
 bury ; Right Hand, by Rev. Mr. Hurd. At his dismission 
 by his own request Feb. 14th, 1838, the council say, the pas- 
 toral " relation continued nearly nine years with mutual har- 
 mony and affection, and ^\ath much advantag-e t(j the cause 
 of rehgion. Mr. Smith baptized 139 and admitted to church 
 privileges 170 ])ersons. 
 
 Rev. Wm. Williams, who had been tivice befoi-e settled, 
 was installed here May 31, 1838. Rev. M. P. Bramin 
 jireached the sermon. On account of the state of his liealth 
 as well as on account of some existing difficulties, he iv- 
 signed his office Oct. 1, 1842. He has since entered the 
 medical profession. 
 
 Rev. Joy H. Fairchild was a native of Gilford, Conn, in 
 1789. He was the youngest of sixteen children. His moth- 
 er was, before marriage, Mehetabel Waterhouse of Sayljrook, 
 Conn. Having been settled twice previously, Mr. Faiicliild 
 was installed here, Sept. 20, 1843. Rev. R. W. Olark 
 preached, and Eev. N. Adams, D. D. offered the jirayer of 
 Installation. Mr. FaircMd resigned his ];)lace June IS^ 
 
50 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 1844. He says in his letter to the church, "I am accused of 
 a crime which I never committed but which it is not in my 
 power to disprove. I do not wish to preach the Gospel any 
 longer than I can "be useful, and as my usefulness must now 
 he ended, I hereby resign my office as pastor of this church." 
 His case has been very extensively investigated before both 
 civil and ecclesiastical tribunals, and for several years he has 
 been re-settled in the work of the ministry in South Boston. 
 
 Eev. Koswell D. Hitchcock, the eleventh minister of this 
 people, was ordained Nov. 19, 1845 ; sermon, by Eev. 0. 
 Fowler of Fall River. He continued in the ministry here 
 until 1853, when he was dismissed at his own request. — 
 Twenty nine persons were admitted to the church by him. 
 Eev. Wm. D. Hitchcock followed him in a short ministry. 
 He was settled in very promising circumstances Oct. 5, 1853, 
 but was cut off by death in about one year, and rests from 
 his toils in the presence of his Master and Lord. Since that 
 time the church has been vacant. It consists of 122 mem- 
 bers and is well able to sustain the institutions of religion on 
 a liberal scale. 
 
 EXETEE.* 
 
 Second Ckueck. — Rev. Isaac Hurd — Rev. A. D. Mann. 
 
 This church was formed under the influence of the "Great 
 Awakening" a century ago. The pastor of the first church 
 ■set himself against Whitefield. Zealous hearts could not 
 brook this. Several councils were called by the parties, and 
 their decisions were not harmonious. At one time when 
 Whitefield preached to the new church whose formation Mr. 
 Odlin had opposed, the latter "solemnly warned and charged 
 him against preaching in Iub parish." The secession took 
 place in May 1743, when the church voted to unite with the 
 town in calling Eev. AVoodbridge Odlin, son of the pastor, 
 to settle as colleague with his father. The friends of the 
 ^' Great Revival" esteemed this proceedure full evidence of 
 the fixed opposition of a majority of the church to the work 
 of God. Forty one persons were organized into a church 
 June 7, 1744. 
 
 Of this church. Rev. Daniel Rogers was the first pastor. — 
 He was ordained Aug. 31, 1748. He was a graduate of Har- 
 vard in 1725. He was a descendant of John Rogers, the 
 iBartyr of Smi.thfield. At the funeral of Whitefield he was 
 
 * Sketch by compiler. 
 
EXETEE. 51 
 
 one of the pall-bearers. He ardently loved that wonderful 
 man, believing him to have been the instrnment in his salva- 
 tion. His ministry and his life closed at once, Dec. 9, 1785. 
 For thirty seven years ho held the pastoral office. Sixty- 
 one were added to the cliurch under liis labors. 
 
 Peace was not easily established between the two chur- 
 ches. A niutnal Council, however, was agreed upon in 1775. 
 That council investigated the grounds of the diflerences 
 which subsisted between these parties and proceeded to give 
 their judgment in regard to the course taken by each. That 
 judgment jn-esented clearly the faults of buth parties and was 
 a just and christian rebuke of such disorder, irregularity, 
 and unchristian reflections, as had occurred. The result was 
 so framed that, without any humiliating concessions and ac- 
 knowledgments and entreaties to be forgiven, an accejitance 
 of it would imply all the confessions necessary and wimld lie 
 a pledge of mutual forgiveness and renev/al of fello"s^'ship and 
 communi(in. A passage or two will show the course taken 
 by the council to effect reconcihation. " Provided the new 
 gathered church, (so called,) shall manifest their consent to, 
 and accejitance of, the judgment of this council, and their 
 readiness to practice agreeably thereto, we advise the pastor 
 and first church in this town to forgive their brethren what- 
 ever has been ofiensive in their late transaction and, not 
 withstanding the exceptionaljle steps they have taken toward 
 their being f jrmed into a church-state, yet, that they own 
 them as a church of our Lord Jesus Christ, and their pastor, 
 (so called) as a minister of Christ, and receive them to Chris- 
 tian communion in all ordinances and acts thereof as they 
 do other churches. And now, dear brethren, we have pro- 
 proposed such terms, as, upon a mature and impartial weigh- 
 ing matters, we think highly reasonable for you to comply 
 with and such as we judge necessary to secure the interest of 
 religion, the honor of Christ, and the peace and safety of 
 these churches, we therefore cannot but hope that God will 
 convince you of your duty and incline you to an hearty com- 
 pliance therewith." To tire otherparty the council said, " we 
 cannot but hope that, considering the circumstances you will, 
 upon their sulmiitting to and accepting of our judgment and 
 advice, forgive whatever has been done by them grievous and 
 offensive to you and treat them accordingly by all proper 
 acts of Christian commrmion." Acceptance of the vesult was 
 expressed by the New church as ai)pears on their record 
 Aug, 4, 1755. The spirit of peace did not, however, follow 
 this apparent reconciliation. It was not until March 29„ 
 1788 that tlie dispute was terminated. Both churches were 
 
y^i ROCKINGHAM COU^JTY. 
 
 ■svitliout pastors. On the above day they united with each 
 other in partaking of the Lord's Supper administered by 
 Eev. Dr. Buckminster. 
 
 In 1792j Nov. 20, Rev. Joseph Brown became the pastor 
 of this church. He was born in Chester, Enghmd, in 1762. 
 He was removed in 1797 after a ministry of live years. He 
 died at Deer Isle, Me., where he was pastor of a clmrch, in 
 1804. Thirty eight were added to the church during his 
 hibors here. He was educated at Lady Huntington's Semi- 
 nary in England. Thus the attachment of the people to 
 the disciples of Whitefield was visible in tlieir choice of 
 these two pastors. The church seems to have been an ex- 
 ample of the " Elective Affinity" principle, before the name 
 was known in ecclesiastical matters. Towards the close of 
 the last century, several of the more influential members of 
 the New Church returned to the communion of the First 
 Church ; and the former gradually lost ground after Mr. 
 Brown was dismissed, and, early in this century, became 
 nearly extinct. It so remained until it was resuscitated 
 Dec. 24, 1813. 
 
 Eev. Isaac Hurd was installed pastor of this church Sept. 
 11, 1817. He was born in Charlestown, Ms., Dec. 7, 1785. 
 He received hi.s theological education in Edinburgh and be- 
 gan preaching in London. In 1813, having returned to this 
 country, he became pastor of the Eirst Church in Lynn, 
 Ms. He resigned this office in May, 1816. He came to 
 Exeter amid peculiar trials. The church was feeble. At 
 its re-organization, four years previous to hisarrival, it em- 
 braced only eleven members. It was indeed a fee1)le lamb 
 of Christ's fold. But liis heart was touched with sympa- 
 thy for it. By the grace of God he hoped to see it thrive. 
 He has. About one hundred and fifty were added to its 
 numbers during his ministry. Several j)recious seasons of 
 revival hare cheered hinr and the church in their work of 
 faith <and labor of love. After a ministry of thirty years, at 
 the age of sixty two, he welcomed a colleague to perform 
 the more arduous labors of the jiastoral office, while, as se- 
 nior pastor, his solicitude and love for the people will Ije 
 continued as long as life endures. 
 
 Piev. Samuel D. Dexter was ordained colleague ])astor of 
 this church Dec. 2, 1847. But Ihs day was brief. He died 
 at Eoxbury, Ms, A]>ril 20, 1850, aged twenty four years. — 
 He was a native of Boston, Ms. and a graduate of Harvard 
 and Andover. His early death was deeply felt. A precious 
 work of grace was enjoyed while ho was pastor. Twenty 
 fo7ir came into the church in one year. 
 
GosroBT. 53 
 
 Eev, Asa D. Mann, the prcRcnt cnlleaguc jiastor, was sot- 
 tied Nov. 19, 1851. He was a native of Iiandolph, Ms. 
 and a p;i-aduate of Amherst in 1838, and of Andover in 
 1842. He was settled in Hardwich', Ms. in 1844. The 
 church numhers 94. Eleven were added hy profession tho 
 last year. Though smaller numerically than in some past 
 times, this church may yet, more fully than ever, carry out 
 the spirit of its founders, who, although some errors were 
 foimd in their measures, were e^adently "lahorers rmto tho 
 kingdom of God." 
 
 FREMONT. 
 
 Poplin was the original name under which tliis town was 
 chartered in 1764. It received its pi-esent name liy act of the 
 Legislature July 8, 1854. Its population in 1820 was 453 ; 
 in 1850, 509. 
 
 It has never enjoyed the benefits of an estahHshed minis- 
 try of any order. No Congregational church ever existed 
 here, although it has not been wholly passed by in the min- 
 istration of the truth. More attention has been given to 
 this tovTi by the Methodist ministry than by any other. — 
 With a house of worship and a population of 500 souls, 
 some evangelical influence seems very desirable tij be brought 
 into vigorous action for tlie moral and religious impirovement 
 of the people. 
 
 GOSPORT.* 
 
 Gosport is a small town of 102 inhabitants on the Isles of 
 Shoals, which are seven in number, chiefly in New Hamp- 
 shire, but partly in Maine, and situated about 10 miles S. S. 
 East from Portsmouth harbor in the open sea ; composed of 
 ledges of rock of granite, slate, gneiss and greenstone, with but 
 little soil fit for cultivation. They were discovered in 1614, 
 by the celebrated navigator Capt. John Smith, who pub- 
 lished the first map and chart of New England and its coast. 
 He gave them his own name, which, however, has not been 
 retained. They were settled at an early period for the pur- 
 pose of pursuing the fisheries, and as affording a secure re- 
 treat from the incursions of the Indians. Business was here 
 
 * Sketch by Rev, L. Aldeu, ' i ■ 
 
54 
 
 KOCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 prosperous. And liere tlie elder Wm. Pepperell, flithei' of 
 the illustrious Bai'onct, laid the foundation of his ample for- 
 tune. Besides the fisheries, there were, in aftertinies, salt 
 works, a wind mill and an extensive rope walk. Pre^-ious to 
 the war of the Kevolution, there were from 300 to GOO inhab- 
 itants. 
 
 A Meeting-house was erected, previous to 1641, on Farm 
 Island, now the site of the Appledore House, a place of po])- 
 ular resort in the warm season. The first minister was Rev. 
 Joseph Hull from England. He was settled in Weymouth, 
 Ms. in 1635 and labored in the ministry at the Isles oi 
 Shoals after 1639. He was succeeded by Rev. John Brock 
 from Shadl^rook, England. He was born 1620, graduated at 
 Harvard College 1646. He remained here f'rom 1646 to 
 1649, when he was settled in South Reading, Ms. where he 
 died June 18th, 1688. It was said of him," " He dwells as 
 near to heaven as any man upon earth." The next minister 
 was Rev. Samuel Belcher, a native of Ipswich, Ms. He 
 graduated at H. 0. 1659. He labored here sometime about 
 1672, and was settled in West Newburv, Ms. 1698, resigned 
 in 1711 and died at Ipswich, March lO'th, 1716, aged 74.— 
 About this time a new Meeting-house, 48 ft. by 38 was built 
 on Star Island. Previous to the close of the 17th century, 
 Rev. Samuel Jloody preached awhile here as he had also in 
 Newcastle. He was son of Rev. Joslraa Moody of Ports- 
 mouth, and graduated at H. C. 1689. Early relinquishing 
 the clerical profession and assuming that of a military offi- 
 cer, he was commander in an expedition against the Indians 
 at the Eastward. In 1705 he was stationed at St. John's Fort, 
 Newfoundland, and in 1709 at Casco. He corresponded with 
 father Ralle, French Catholic missionary at Norridgewock, 
 and was repeatedly the organ of communication between the 
 Indians and our Government during the war. He was final- 
 ly located at Falmouth, now Portland, Me. and was regard- 
 ed as the leader of the colony there. He died April 5th, 
 1729. Rev. Joshua Moody supplied from 1707 to 1732. He 
 was a native of Salislxiry, Ms. and graduated at H. C. 1707. 
 He was employed as a teacher of yoirth, at Hampton, some- 
 time previous to his death, which occurred at Newbury, 
 Ms. 1768, at the age of 82. He was followed by Rev. John 
 Tucke, a native of Hampton. He was the first Pastor or- 
 dained at this place. Rev. Jabez Fitch of P(jrtsmouth 
 delivered a discourse, at his ordination, from Matt, 4 ; 19 — " I 
 will make you fishers of men." His salary was £ 110 per 
 annum. To this was added £50 towards a house. He prac- 
 ticed medicine among the people of his charge, as was not 
 
GOSPOKT. 55 
 
 unusual with ministers, at that period. " He was esteemed 
 a good man and a devoted minister." During his ministry 
 occurred a great Ke\'iyal of Religion in New England. A 
 convention of ministers was called to confer upon it, in July 
 1743, on the day succeeding the commencement. Eev. Mr. 
 Tucke, being imable to attend, addressed a communication 
 to that venerable assembly, from which the following is an 
 extract : " Providence is now sending sickness into my lamily, 
 so that I cannot be in Boston this week ; I therefore send 
 my thoughts in writing. I acknowledge the work, in this 
 laud, to be a blessed work of God ; and I believe it is the 
 duty of Christ's ministers to give an open, conjunct testimo- 
 ny unto it. We have a revival of religion among us. I beg 
 your prayers for my family, my people and myself. I am, 
 with all due regards, Your humble servant. Closport, July 
 4th, 174.3." He departed this life Aug. 12th 1773, aged 72. 
 On the monmuent erected to his memory — a sujierlj horizon- 
 tal slab of freestone, at Star Island, is the following inscrip- 
 tion : " Underneath are the remains of the Eev. John Tucke, 
 A. M. He graduated at Harvard College A. D. 1723 ; was 
 ordained here July 26, 1732, and died Aug. 12, 1773, aged 
 72." He was affable and polite in manners ; amial)le in dis- 
 position ; of great piety and integrity ; given to hospitality ; 
 well learned in Mstory and geography, as well as general 
 science ; and a useful jihysician, both to the bodies and souls 
 of Ins people. After his death. Rev. Jeremiah Shaw snpjjlied 
 tiU 1775, when most of the inhabitants were dispersed, in 
 consec|uence of their exposure to the enemy, then invading 
 the country — but a few families remaining here. 
 
 In the year 1800, the number of inhabitants was 120, in 
 15 families and occupying 11 houses. At tins period, Hon. 
 Dudley Tyug of Newburyjiort, in behalf of this people, so- 
 licited the aid of the Society for propagating the gospel 
 among the Indians and others in North America ; and an 
 appropriation of f 100 was made to sustain the preaching of 
 the gospel. He also aided in building a Meeting-house 36 
 feet by 24 of stone, which was dedicated Nov. 14th, 1800. 
 Rev. Josiah Stephens was then employed in the ministry. He 
 was a native of KiUingworth, Ct. He had served in the 
 Revolutionary War, was in the battle of Bennington ; and 
 is said to have maintained his habits of devotion amid the 
 bustle of the camp. He deceased, July 2d, 1804. The fol- 
 lowing is the inscription on his monument : " In memory of 
 Rev. Josiah Stephens a faitliful instructor of youth, and a 
 pious minister of Jesus Christ, (supported on this Island by 
 the Society for propagating the gospel) who died July 2d, 
 
56 
 
 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 1804, aged 64 years. Likewise of Mrs. Susanna Stephens, 
 his heloved wife, who died December 10th, 1810." From 
 the death of Rev. Mr. Stephens till 1824, there was only 
 occasional j^reaching. 
 
 In 1822, a society of gentlemen, with a ladies' auxiliary 
 society, was formed in Newburyport, for the religious in- 
 struction of the people of the Isles of Shoals, which sup- 
 jdied a teacher for aboxit nine years ; and also repaired the 
 Meeting-house, the interior of which had been accidentally 
 burned. In 1824 Rev. Samuel Sewall commenced preach- 
 ing and continued to supply till his decease, which occurred 
 at Rye, where he had gone on business, March 15th, 1826, 
 at the age of 61 years. After the death of Rev. Mr. Sewall, 
 the regular preaching of the gospel, by Congregational min- 
 isters, was suspended. Since that period, several ministers 
 of various denominations have labored here, at diiferent 
 times. Rev. Origin Smith was stationed here, and labored 
 very successfully, till he was obliged to leave from the 
 impaired state of his health. Others have followed him in 
 the ministry, viz : Rev. Messrs. Hall, Blodget, Sumner, 
 Eastman and Mason. The latter, after two years of very 
 useful and acceptable services, from 1853, has now left, find- 
 ing a change of clime essential to his health — ha'S'ing in a 
 high degree secirred the esteem and respect of the people 
 here and of their benefactors alaroad. The Society for prop- 
 agating the gospel, have again for several years past, afforded 
 aid, appropriating from $l50 to $250 per annum. Rev. A. 
 P. Peabody, D .D. pastor of the South Church in Portsmouth, 
 and a society of ladies there, have been active and persever- 
 ing in their efforts for this people, their benefactiiins being 
 liberal, frequerrt and long continued ; among which may be 
 mentioned the generous donation of $ 100 from Capt. Icha- 
 bod Cloodwin, and the gratuitous supply of school and other 
 valuable books, by the late venerable Dea. J. W. Poster. — 
 As a benefactress of this people, it may be proper to men- 
 tion the late Mrs. Jane Greenleaf of Newburyport, Ms., con- 
 cerning whom it is stated in her published Memoirs : " there 
 was one object, which she was specially and deeply interested 
 in tiU her death, — this was the spiritual im])rovement of 
 the people hving on the Isles of Shoals. For the last thirty 
 years of her life, she cordially cooperated with those who sus- 
 tained amission there; and after she had entered her seventieth 
 year, the principal care of providing ministers and teachers, 
 and of raising funds for their support, was voluntarily assumed 
 by herself, imtil her growing infirmities obliged her to rehn- 
 quish it. In her journal, she often mentions receiving a 
 
GREENLAND. 57 
 
 few dollars for ' the Shoals' as a providential favor. These 
 people were constantly remembered in her prayers ; and much 
 did she rejoice, when any report of their impr(.)vement reached 
 her ears." On the 15th day of May, 1851, she fell asleep in 
 Jesus — and with her own, these her spiritual "children arise 
 up and call her blessed." 
 
 GKEENLAND. 
 
 Rev. Edward Robie. 
 
 Greenland for some years after its first settlement farmed 
 a part of Portsmouth. It was incorporated in 1703. From 
 its first settlement until 1705, its inhabitants, men, women 
 and children, used to walk six or eight miles to attend pub- 
 lic worship. At a regular parish meeting held in Ports- 
 mouth, June 4th, 1705, it was voted, " That in consideration 
 of their numbers, the distance they had to travel, and the 
 dangers to be encountered in their attendance uj^on public 
 worshijD, the inliabitants of Greenland be peiTnitted to enjoy 
 their own regular, instituted means of grace, and that one 
 hundred pomrds be paid yearly, out of the to^vn stock, as 
 their j)roportion for the support of the ministry during their 
 maintenance of an able minister among them, and no long- 
 er." The use of a certain amount of land was afterwards 
 substituted for the above £ 100. The church was organized 
 in July 1706, consisting of twenty nine members, and all 
 the inhabitants of the town constituted the Parish. 
 
 The first settled minister was the Eev. William Allen, 
 who was born in Boston, Ms. March 1676, graduated at 
 Harvard college 1703, and ordained pastor of this church 
 July 15, 1707. Eev. Mr. Allen labored as acting pastor of 
 this church until Nov. 3, 1756, when, in accordance ^\^th 
 his own request, made by reason of his increasing age and 
 infirmities, a colleague pastor was settled. He, however, 
 continued its senior pastor, until his death Sept. 8, 1760, in 
 the fifty third year of his ministry, and aged eighty four. — 
 A parish meeting which was warned (m the 8th of Sept., 
 was holden on the 9th to make preparations for his funeral. 
 At tliis meeting it was voted, " That the to^vn Avill give a 
 decent burial to their Pieverend pastor deceased — that the 
 selectmen be a committee for thispurpose, and that a mourning 
 ring 1)0 presented to the Rev. Saml. McChntock." During 
 his ministry Rev. Mr. AUen administered eleven hundred 
 baptisms and received two hundred and ninety three persons 
 5 
 
58 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 into the churcli. He was fiivored with several extensive re- 
 vivals, and as the fruits of one wliich took place about the 
 time of the Great Awakening, he received thirty one persons 
 into the church at one time, May 11, 1735. 
 
 The second pastor of this church was Kev. Samuel McClin- 
 tock. He was born in Medford, Ms. May 1, 1732, of re- 
 spected and devout Scotch Irish parents, graduated at 
 Princeton 1751 with such high honor that he was immedi- 
 ately invited to a tutorship in the College. This he declined, 
 from an unwillingness to delay entrance upon a profession to 
 which he was consecrated from his childhood. He studied 
 theology with his triend and patron, Rev. James McGrregore 
 of Derry. AVhile on a short visit at Eev. Dr. Langdon's of 
 Portsmouth, he was invited to preach a lecture at Green- 
 land, and such was the impression produced by his discourse 
 that the people immediately invited him to assist their aged 
 pastor. After preaching iivc Sabbaths he received a pressing 
 and unanimous call to become colleague pastor. The una- 
 nimity and affection discovered on this occasion led him to 
 sacrifice far more flattering worldly prospects to what he 
 deemed the call of duty, and he accepted the in^^tation. — 
 He was ordained Nov. 3rd, 1756. Rev. Dr. Langdon of 
 Portsmouth preached the sermon. Favored with a strong 
 constitution and uninterrupted health and abihty for active 
 service, the last Sabbath of his life was the only one on 
 which he was disabled for the performance of his ministerial 
 duties. He preached for the last time on the day of the 
 annual Fast, April 19th, 1804. Ujjon his return home to 
 his family on that day he observed that he had finished Ms 
 labors as a minister of Christ. An apparently slight indis- 
 position under which he was then laboring, increased so rap- 
 idly as to terminate liis life in eight days. On the morning 
 of April 27th, 1804 he sweetly fell asleep in Jesus, and, with- 
 out doubt, entered into that rest which is promised to Clmst's 
 faitlrful servants. 
 
 Rev. Dr. McClintock was widely known as a man of ster- 
 ling native talent, an able theologian, and a scholar of high 
 standing. As a preacher he stood in high reputation, and 
 his discourses, judging from a half score of his manuscripts 
 in the possession of the present pastor, were j^lain, logical, 
 rich in thought, and evangehcal. His memory is still cher- 
 ished "with great aftection in the hearts of those now living, 
 who, in their childhood and youth, sat under his ministra- 
 tions. He was a lover of civil and religious liberty, as every 
 minister of the gospel ought to be. He entered warmly 
 into the defence of liis country's rights when threatened and 
 
GREENLAND. 1 59 
 
 invaded by the power of Great Britain. During the Revo- 
 lutionary war he took an active part on the battle-field in 
 the character of a cliaplain, and by his prayers, and also by 
 liis exhortations and example, animated and encouraged liis 
 compatriots in the unequal conflict. He was present as 
 chaplain, at the battle of Bunker Hill. 
 
 The third pastor of this church vras Rev. James Neal. — 
 He was born in Londonderi-y 1774, and ordained pastor of 
 this church. May 22d, 1805, within less than thirteen months 
 after the death of liis predecessor. His ordination sermon 
 was preached by Rev. Dr. Appleton, of Hampton, afterwards 
 President of Bowdoin college. Previous to his settlement 
 here, he had been for several years Preceptor of a school for 
 young ladies in Philadelphia, which lucrative employment 
 he relinquished for the pastoral office. He was pastor only 
 for a little more than three years. He died in office Jidy 
 18th, 1808, aged 34 years. He was tlie father of the late 
 Joseph C. Neal, the accomplished and popular editor and 
 author. About seventy-five persons were admitted into the 
 church during the successive ministries of McClintock and 
 Neal. We have no means of ascertaining tlie number of 
 baptisms. Until this period in the history of this church, 
 uninterrupted harmony and good order prevailed in all eccle- 
 siastical and religious matters winch required the action of 
 the people. Up<?n these matters aU the legal voters were re- 
 Cjuired to act and did act as on matters of a secular character. 
 All the inhabitants of the town who attended public wor- 
 ship anywhere, worshiped together in the same house, and 
 rendered their voluntary spnpathy and aid to sustain the 
 pastors of the church. Not a dissenting voice was heard 
 respecting the faith and order of the gospel which these 
 worthy men labored to estal:)lish here. There was about this 
 time, however, a manifest declension of si:)iritual life in the 
 hearts of God's people. This, with the death of Mr. Neal, 
 prepared the way for the change winch soon transjiired. — 
 While our pastor was upon his dying bed, Elias Smith, the 
 successful leader of one of the most noted liberal sects of those 
 days, made liis appearance in this town and commenced the 
 work of disorganization among the people. He succeeded in 
 disaifecting the hearts of a few. Here, as elsewhere, his in- 
 fluence in this work seemed to be no less efficient as a politi- 
 cal partizan than as the leader of a religious sect. He was 
 followed by the eminent and efficient pioneer and apostle of 
 Methodism, the Rev. George Pickering. He succeeded in 
 drawing over one-third of the members of the church to the 
 Methodists who obtained the joint occupancy of the Meeting- 
 
60 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 house for six months in the year, until the settlement of the 
 fourth pastor. Though this secession triedthe heart of the 
 church and reduced her numbers and pecuniary ability for a 
 season, it did not essentially enfeeble her. The great Head 
 of the church moved the heart of a worthy member of the 
 church to su]iply the deficit thus made, by the liberal act of 
 entrusting a fund of $5000 to the care of the Mass. Society for 
 the Promotion of Christian Knowledge, two hundred dollars 
 of the income of which that society is required to pay annually, 
 in half-yearly payments, to the Congregational minister of 
 Greenland. ' This' secured a sum more than equiva,lent to that 
 lost by the seceding tax-payers. Moreover a majority of the 
 legal voters in town restored the church to full possession of 
 the house of worsliip. 
 
 On the 27th day of Oct. 1813 the Kev. Ephraim Abbott 
 was settled here. He was a descendant of George Abbott 
 who came from England and settled in Andover, Ms. 1643. 
 He was born in Newcastle, Me. Sept. 28, 1779, graduated at 
 Harvard college 1806, and at Andover in 1810. Previously 
 to his settlement here, he labored successfully as a Missionary 
 in some of the neighboring towns. He was also the first 
 Preceptor of Brackett's Academy in this place. He was dis- 
 missed at liis own request, by reason of ill health, Oct. 28, 
 1828, after a ministry of fifteen years. By him thirty seven 
 persons were received into the church and twenty six were 
 baptized. 
 
 Rev. Samuel W. Clark, the fifth pastor of this church, was 
 born at Hancock, N. H. Dec. 15th, 1795, graduated with 
 honor at Dartmouth college 1823, finished his studies at An- 
 dover in 1827, and was ordained over this church, August 
 5th, 1829. He was a faithful, affectionate, and much belov- 
 ed pastor until liis death a period of eighteen years. He 
 died in great calmness and peace of spirit Aug. 17, 1847, 
 aged 52 years. He was fiivored with two seasons of refresh- 
 ing from above during his ministry. Pie received thirty 
 seven persons into the church and administered forty five 
 baptisms. 
 
 The sixth pastor of tins church was Rev. Edwin Holt. — 
 Born in New London, Conn. April 17, 1805, graduated at 
 Colirmbia college Aug. 1821, he studied theology at the 
 Seminary in Auburn. After settlements at Westficld, N. J., 
 Macon, Ga., Portsmouth, N. H. and New York city, he 
 was installed as pastor of this church March 8, 1848. Ill 
 health compelled him to ask a dismission, winch was reluc- 
 tantly granted, Jan. 7th, 1851. During his ministry of 
 three years, thirteen were added to the church and six were 
 
HAMPSTEAD. 61 
 
 baptized. Mr. Holt- removed from Greenland to Madison, 
 la, and from thence to Evans'saUe, where he died July 3rd, 
 1854. 
 
 The present pastor of this chnrch is Rev. Edward Roliie. 
 Born in Gorham, Me. April 5th, 1821, graduated at Bow- 
 doin college 1840, and at Andover Theo. Seminary 1843, 
 he was ordained Feb. 25th, 1852. Previously to his ordina- 
 tion, he spent several years in teaching in his native place, 
 and at Andover, Ms. During liis ministry thirteen per- 
 sons have been admitted to the church, seven by p)rofession 
 and six by letters of recommendation. It now embraces 
 forty seven members. 
 
 Thus, for a century and a half, has this church been in 
 existence. During this period it has been characterized by 
 a constant and steady adherence to the institutions of the 
 gospel. It has had its discouragements and its times of 
 favor, having suffered seasons of clejsrcssion and enjoyed pre- 
 cious revivals. Favored indeed, has she been in her succes- 
 sion of pastors. They were all able, laborious, faitliful and 
 devoted servants of Christ. Of the whole number who have 
 preceded the present pastor, two only were dismissed, and 
 they at their o^\ti request which was reluctantly granted by 
 an attached jieople. The others lived, labored and finished 
 their course with the church in joy and ]ieace, and their re- 
 mains repose with us until this day. The united ministry 
 of the first two pastors numbered more than a century of 
 years. This church has furnished for our denomination one 
 minister, the Rev. Ste])hen Bailey, formerly of Raymond, 
 and noAv of Dorchester, Ms. 
 
 HAMPSTEAD. 
 
 Rev. J. M. C. Bartley. 
 
 Hampstead is a small town containing only 8350 acres, 
 400 of which are covered with water. It never contained 
 above 920 inhabitants ; the present number is 789. The 
 town was incorporated in 1741. No church, other than the 
 existing Congregational church, was ever organized here. — 
 This church was gathered, June 3, 1752, consisting of 68 
 members. It has had only three pastors. 
 
 Rev. Henry True, a native of Salisbury, Ms., a graduate 
 at Harvard in 1750, was ordained here in June 1752. He 
 continued in the pastoral office about 30 years, until his death 
 May 22, 1782, at the age of 57 years. For ten years subse- 
 
62 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 quent to his death, the church was in a distracted state, with- 
 out a pastor, and much of the time without jn-eaching. The 
 second pastor Rev. John Kelly was a native of Amesbury, 
 Ms.— was a graduate of Dartmouth college 1791 and was 
 ordained here Dec. 5, 1792. Mr. Kelly held the pastoral 
 relation for forty four years, when in 183G, in conseiiuence of 
 the intirmities of age, it was dissolved by mutual consent. 
 The present pastor, Eev. J. M. C. Bartley, is a native of 
 Londonderry, N. H., an alumnus of Amherst, and was install- 
 ed over this church Oct. 12, 1836. 
 
 The stipulated salary of Rev. Mr. True was $ 225 annual- 
 ly. He received, however, $450 to assist in building a house 
 and in the course of the first twenty years of liis ministry 
 he received in donations what amomitcd to over $ 2000. — 
 The stipulated salary of Rev. Mr. Kelly was about § 300.— 
 But he also received several hundred dollars to aid in build- 
 ing a house. The salary of the present pastor is $450. _ 
 
 There is no recorder ot her evidence of any revivals during 
 Mr. True's ministry. He was a good man and his memory 
 is fondly cherished by Ins few contemporaries who survive. 
 During the latter years of his ministry his life was somewhat 
 embittered and the church greatly weakened by divisions, 
 occasioned by the intrusion of flaming sectarian exhorters 
 among them. During Mr. Kelly's ministry there were two 
 seasons of special religious awakening. The last and most 
 remarkable occurred in 1827. It was a time of great out- 
 pouring of the Spirit. Cases of discipline were formerly of 
 rather frequent occurrence in the church and additions few. 
 In 1836 the resident members did not exceed fiftyfive. — 
 Since 1836 there have been received, on profession, seventy, 
 and by letter, twenty eight. Since 1836 only one has been 
 suspended from church privileges ; numbers have died, and a 
 considerable number have been dismissed to other churches. 
 Our present number is eighty five. In 1837 and '38 there 
 was more than usual religious interest. During these two 
 years about 40 united with the church by profession. Since 
 1836, nine young men from the parish have graduated at 
 different colleges. Three of whom are now active and use- 
 ful ministers of the gospel ; one is a physician in Boston ; 
 one a lawyer in Manchester ; one a teacher in Valparaiso, 
 S. A.; one a teacher in Natches, Miss ; one is studjdng the- 
 ology, and one has lately died. Two young men, members 
 of the church, are in a course of preparation for college, one 
 of whom has the ministry in view. 
 
 By the intrusion of foreign influences, the vitally impor- 
 tant doctrine of infant dedication has been, in times past, 
 
HAMPTON. 63 
 
 sadly depreciated, Imt of late, more enlii^htened views are 
 entertained. Sabbath schools were established here at an 
 early date and have been well snstained. The principal one 
 of the parish has been sustained nniformly the year round 
 with undiminished interest. Contributions to various be- 
 nevolent objects are annually made. The montlily Missiona- 
 ry and Sabbath school concerts have been, for a long course 
 of years, observed and well attended. 
 
 HAMPTON.* 
 
 Rev. John Colby. 
 
 The Congregational Church in Hampton is the oldest in 
 New Hampshire. This would be true, if its origin had been 
 merely coeval with the settlement of the town. But it 
 dates farther back. When the place was granted for a plan- 
 tation, in September, 1638, some of the grantees were already 
 "united together by church government." The original 
 members of the church, and the first settlers of the town, 
 generally, were Puritans ; many of them from the county of 
 Norfolk, in England, where Christians of this class were very 
 numerous. They have left their impress upon succeeding 
 generations. Not only did the early settlers, some of them 
 at least, come hither, an organized church, but they brought 
 a pastor with them. Soon after their arrival, the}^ selected 
 a site, on which they built a Meeting-house. However rude, 
 it was to them a sacred place ; and at the hour of worsliip, 
 they went up to their log-sanctuary with feelings as devo- 
 tional as are those of worshipers in splendid cathedrals. 
 
 Kev. Stephen Bachiler, the first pastor of the church, 
 may, more than any other person be regarded as the father 
 ancl founder of the town. He was already advanced in Hfe, 
 being not far from seventy seven years of age. The place of 
 his birth, the time and the character of his ministry in Eng- 
 land, are all involved in uncertainty. We are told, however, 
 that in his native country, he " suffered much at the hands 
 of the bishops." From England, he is said to have gone to 
 Holland. He came to this country in 1632. He landed at 
 Boston on the 5th of June, and proceeded immediately to 
 LjTin, where his son-in-law, Christoj)her Hussey, was then 
 living, at which place he commenced his ministrations the 
 next Sabbath, and became pastor of the church. Difficulties 
 soon arose between the pastor and a portion of the church, 
 
 » This History is by Joseph Dow of Hampton, and evinces great research. 
 
G4 EOCKINGHAM COUNTT- 
 
 andhe asked a dismission for himself and a few other persons,, 
 who had come ^vith him from Enf^land, and had constituted 
 a part of the church at Lynn. His request was granted, but 
 instead of leaving the town, as liad been expected, he and 
 the other persons dismissed, renewed their former covenant, 
 intending to be a church by themselves, and to remain at 
 Lynn. At this course so much dissatisfaction was manifest- 
 ed, that they thought it best to remove to some other place. 
 Having failed in an attempt to settle on Cape Cod, they 
 came to Hamj)ton in the autumn of 1638. The next year. 
 Rev. Timothy Dalton was associated with Mr._ Bachiler in 
 the ministerial office. Difficulties and distractions still at- 
 tended the ministry of Mr. Bachiler. There was a want of 
 harmony between the two ministers. Both of them were 
 orthodox in sentiment, but they did not agree in practice. — 
 The fault may not have been wholly on the part of Mr. 
 Bachiler. Some domestic difficxdties however, and some im- 
 prudencies, not to say immoralities, on the part of Mr. Bach- 
 iler, gave his opponents in the church the advantage. A 
 majority of the church and of the town were against him. — 
 In the mean time, the people of the adjoining town of Exe- 
 ter, having taken measures for forming a new church, invited 
 him to become their pastor, though four score years of age. 
 There is some uncertainty as to the time when the ministry 
 of Mr. Bacliiler in this town closed. It is said to have been 
 sometime in the year 1641. In 1656 or 1657 he went back 
 to England, where he died at the great age of one hundred 
 years. 
 
 Eev. Timothy Dalton, as already mentioned, was associ- 
 ated with Mr. Baclriler in 1639, the latter being styled pas- 
 tor, and the former teacher. We are not aware, that two 
 ministers, thus designated, have ever been connected ■nith 
 any other church in this State. The appropriate duties of 
 the two ministera may be briefly stated, as follows : " In the 
 forenoon of the Sabbath, the pastor preached ; in the after- 
 noon, the teacher. In one part of the day, the pastor offered 
 the prayer that preceded the sermon ; and the teacher 
 the closing prayer; and in the other part, the order 
 was reversed. The teacher pronounced the benediction at 
 the close of the morning service, and the pastor, at the close 
 of the evening. At the celebration of the Lord's Supper, 
 one of the ministers performed the first part of the service, 
 and the other, the last ; the order in which they officiated, 
 being reversed at each communion. The ordinance of bap- 
 tism was likewise administered either by the pastor or the 
 teacher." Mr. Dalton was inducted into the ministry, and 
 
HAMPTON. 65 
 
 labored in the capacity of a minister of the gospel in Eng- 
 land, before his removal to this coimtr}'. He is said to have 
 come to America like many of his contemporaries, to find a 
 place where God might be worshiped in accordance with tlje 
 dictates of conscience. 
 
 About that time there were disturbances at Dover, which, 
 it was thought, required the interference of the civil magis- 
 trate. Mr. 8imon Bradstreet, afterwards Grovernor of Mas- 
 sachusetts, Rev. Hugh Peters, then a minister of Salem, 
 subsequently a martyr to the cause of ciril hberty, and Rev. 
 Mr. Dalton, were selected and sent to Dover to quell these 
 disturbances, and, as Gov. Winthrop remarks, " they brought 
 matters to a peaceable end." At the time of Iris settlement 
 in Hampton, Mr. Dalton was more than sixty years old. — 
 In a few years, either from the failure of his health, or from 
 the infirmities of age, he became unable to sustain all the 
 cares and perform all the labors incident to the ministerial 
 office in a new settlement. Two ministers were associated 
 with Mr. Dalton in. succession, the united period of wliose 
 labors filled nearly the whole time from the spring of 1G47 
 till the close of his ministry, which terminated at his deatli, 
 Dec. 28, 1661, when he was about 84 years of age. The 
 appellation of teacher, which was given him at liis settle- 
 ment, he retained through life. At his death he was called 
 " a faithful and painful laborer in God's vineyard." Soon 
 after Mr. Dalton's settlement, measures were taken for build- 
 ing a new Meeting-house. The contract for building it was 
 signed Sept. 14, 1640 ; but the work was not completed till 
 several years afterward. It is not known when the house 
 was first occupied for public worship. 
 
 In the early part of Mr. Dalton's ministry, he was not 
 paid for his services by a stipulated salary. Several grants 
 of land were made to him, which were ultimately of consid- 
 erable value. Sometime before his death, he conveyed by 
 deed to the church and town of Hampton, "for the use of 
 the ministry forever," certain portions of liis lands, for the 
 sum of £200 sterhng. From the sale of these lands, and of 
 other tracts appropriated by the town for the support of the 
 ministry, a considerable fimd has been derived, of wliicli the 
 towns set off from Hampton have had their appropriate 
 shares. Mr. Dalton, at his death, left no children. At the 
 time of his settlement here, he had a son bearing his own 
 name, who was then, probably, an adult, as a farm was 
 granted to liim by the town. We have already mentioned, 
 that in 1647, on account of the infirmities of Mr. Dalton, he 
 was furnished with an assistant. The person selected for 
 
66 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 this purpose was Rev. Johii Whelewright, who had former- 
 ly been pastor of a church at Exeter. We make the follow- 
 ing extract from the contract between him and the church 
 and town : "The church of Jesus Christ at Hampton have- 
 ing seriously considered the great pains and labors that the 
 reverente and well-beloued Mr. Timothy Dalton haue taken 
 among them in the worke of the ministry euen beyond his 
 abilitie or strength of nater ; And haueing upon sollemne 
 seeking of God, settled ther thoughts upon the reverente 
 and well-beloued Mr. John Whelewright of Wells as a helpe 
 in the worke of the Lord with the sayd Mr. Dalton, our 
 present and faithfull Teacher : And haue given the said Mr. 
 Whelewright a call to that end with the consent of the hole 
 towne : The which the said Mr. Whelewright doe except 
 according unto God, &c." Then follow the terms of the 
 contract, which it is not necessary to our present purpose to 
 quote. He was settled and remained pastor about ten years. 
 In May 1G.58, the town chose a committee for calling another 
 per.son to settle in connection with Mr. Dalton. Mr. Whele- 
 wright was then in England, whence he had written a letter 
 to this church, dated April 20, 1658, in which he mentions 
 an interview with Oliver Cromwell, "with whom," he writes, 
 " I had discourse in private about the space of an hour. All 
 his speeches seemed to me very orthodox and gracious." It 
 may here be remarked, that these two persons had in early 
 life been associated at the University of Cambridge, in Eng- 
 land. After the accession of Charles II. to the throne, Mr. 
 Whelewright returned to tliis country, and became pastor 
 of the church at Salisbury, Ms., where he died Nov. 15, 
 1679, being the oldest pastor then in New England. He 
 married Mary Hutchinson, a sister of William Hutchinson, 
 the husljand of Ann Hutchinson, who gave rise to the Anti- 
 nomians in New England. Mr. Whelewright came to 
 America in 1636 — whether for the first time or not, we do 
 not pretend to decide — and landed at Boston on the 26th of 
 May. He and his wife were admitted to the church in that 
 town, June 12, 1636. At a Fast in Boston in December of 
 the same year, he preached a sermon that gave offence, as 
 it was judged to reflect on ministers and magistrates. The 
 Court after an unsuccessful effort to bring him to retract, 
 requested, that he would, "out of a regard to the pubhc 
 peace, leave the Colony of his own accord" ; but as he 
 refused, they sentenced him "to be disfranchised, to be ban- 
 ished the jurisdiction, and to be taken into custody immedi- 
 ately, unless he should give security to depart before the end 
 of March." Dechning to give bail, he was taken into custo- 
 
HAMPTON. 67 
 
 dy, but released tlie next day on "declaring himself willing 
 to submit to a simple banishment." In 1638, Mr. Wliele- 
 wright purchased of the Indians a considerable tract of land 
 around Squamscot Falls, and founded the town of Exeter, 
 and took the pastoral charge of the church formed there. In 
 1642, that town came under the jurisdiction of the Colony 
 from which he had four years before been banished, and as 
 that sentence had not been reversed, he now removed from 
 Exeter to Wells, in the Province of Maine. Mr. Whele- 
 wright afterward made some slight acknowledgment, and 
 in 1644, the G-eneral Court removed the sentence of banish- 
 ment, so that when he received an invitation to come to 
 Hampton, there was no legal objection to his accepting it. 
 At the very time of the Antinomian troubles in Massachu- 
 setts, Mr. Whelewright had many warm friends, even in 
 Boston, who regarded him as an innocent and injured man. 
 At a somewhat later period, some distinguished men, who 
 had always sjmipathized with his opponents, admitted, that, 
 in their opinion, he was a good man and one " that had the 
 root of the matter in him." His sermon, which gave so 
 much offence, is, happily, still preserved, and one of the 
 ablest jurists that New Hampshire has ever produced, after 
 a careful perusal of it, publicly declared, that, in his judg- 
 ment, the charge of sedition was "wholly groundless ; there 
 was not the least color for it." And the General Court 
 afterwards certified the excellence of liis character. Mr. 
 Whelewright received in compensation for his services here, 
 in addition to a house-lot and a farm of three hundred acres, 
 the p>ayment of certain charges, and the sum of £40 per an- 
 num. 
 
 Mr. Seaborn Cotton was ordained pastor of the church iu 
 1660, ha\'ing assisted Mr. Dalton in the ministry about two 
 years and near the close of the following year, by the death 
 of the teacher, the whole care of the church devolved upon 
 him. He continued his ministry here, without much inter- 
 ruption, till it was suddenly terminated by his death, which 
 occurred April 19, 1686, when he was in the fifty third year 
 of his age, having been pastor of the church about one-half 
 that number of years. Mr. Cotton was the eldest son of 
 Kev. John Cotton, of Boston, and was born August 12, 
 1633, while his parents were crossing the ocean on their way 
 to America. Sept. 6, two days after their arrival at Boston, 
 they dedicated him to God in baptism, and in consideration 
 of the circumstances of his Ijirth, gave him the name Sea- 
 born. Mr. Cotton graduated at Harvard coUege in 1651, 
 at the age of eighteen years. At what date he began to 
 
68 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 preach, we have uot been able to ascertain. 
 
 teemed a thorough schohir and an able preacher." At a 
 
 town meetmg March 25, 1664, it was " voted, and agreed 
 
 yt those yt are willing to have their children called forth to 
 
 be catechised, shall give in their names to Mr. Cotton for 
 
 that end, between this and the second day of the next 
 
 montli." 
 
 It is to be regretted that no record remains—perhaps, 
 none was kept — of the proceedings of the church while under 
 the care of the first three ministers. Nor did Mr.^ Cotton, 
 the fourth minister, keep fifuJl record. He left a list of 68 
 members upon some loose papers. There is less uncertainty 
 in relation to parochial affairs, as the tovsTi records furnish a 
 consideralile amount of reliable and valuable information. 
 It will be sufficient to notice two or three facts : We learn 
 that the town granted to Mr. Cotton a farm of 200 acres, 
 and gave him at first £ 65 a year, but afterward increased 
 his salary to £70, and, in 1667, to £80. We find also that 
 a new Meeting-house was erected in the summer of 1675, at 
 the raising of which, all the males in the town, of twenty 
 years of age and upwards, were required to be present and 
 to assist, under a penalty of twelve pence each, for neglect. 
 At the age of twenty one, Mr. Cotton married Dorothy, the 
 eldest daughter of Gov. Simon Bradstreet, with whom he 
 lived sixteen years, and by whom he had nine children. 
 After the death of Mr. Cotton, the church, or rather, the 
 town, soon began to make effoi'ts to obtain another jiastor. 
 Their choice fell on Mr. John Cotton, the eldest son of their 
 late minister, and a committee was appointed to treat with 
 him in reference to a settlement. Mr. Cotton declined ordi- 
 nation, though he consented to jjreach. In the course of a 
 few years, the invitation to him to become pastor of the 
 church, was several times renewed, and as often declined. 
 During a portion of the j^ears 1690 and 1691, Mr. Cotton 
 was absent, and Eev. John Pike, the pastor of the church at 
 Dover, being driven from his home by the ravages of the 
 Indians, supplied the pulpit here, and received an in^dtation 
 to settle, which he declined. Another invitation was exten- 
 ded to Mr. Cotton, and he at length consented to be ordained 
 and take tlie pastoral charge of the church. His ordination 
 took place Nov. 19, 1696. At the time of his ordination 
 only ten male and fifteen female members remained. But 
 the number was soon enlarged. Seventy persons were ad- 
 mitted to full communion during the first year of his pasto- 
 rate, and two hundred and twenty, during the whole period 
 of his ministry. Mr. Cotton lived among Ins people, beloved 
 
HAMPTON. 69 
 
 find respected, and died very much lamented, ami his mem- 
 ory was lone; held dear. His death occurred suddenly, 
 March 27, 1710, when he was nearly fifty-two years of age. 
 He was horn May 8, 1658, and graduated at Harvard col- 
 lege in 1678. 
 
 In less than three months after the death of Mr. Cotton, 
 the town voted to give a call to Mr. Nathaniel Gookin, to 
 become their minister. The terms being made satisfactor}-, 
 Mr. Gookin accepted the call and was ordained Nov. 15, 
 1710. A little prior to this time, the people in that part of 
 the town, called the Falls, began to agitate the sultject of 
 forming a new church. About one year after Mr. Gookin's 
 ordination, the church Avas formed, forty-nine members of 
 the old church having been dismissed for this pru-pijse. Be- 
 fore the close of his ministry, the old church also dismissed 
 a cousideralile number of persons, to be formed into new 
 churches at Kingston and at Rye. 
 
 The fourth Meeting-house for the use of the old church 
 and the people at the town, was built during Mr. Gookin's 
 ministry. It was constructed with two tiers of galleries, 
 one above the other. At first it contained but one pew, and 
 that for the use of the minister's family ; the rest of the 
 house being furnished with seats for the accommodation of 
 the people. But persons were not permitted to select seats 
 for themselves. To prevent confusion from such a course, 
 the town either assigned seats to the several worshipers, 
 by vote, or appointed "a committee of meet men" to do it. 
 ^\'Tiatever seat might, in either of these ways, be assigned 
 to any indimlual, he was exiiected to occupy that, and no 
 other, till a new assignment should be made by order of the 
 town. It should be stated that, though only one pew was 
 made in the new Meeting-house, when it was built, yet oth- 
 er pews were added from time to time, being in most instan- 
 ces built, at the expense of the persons who were to occupy 
 them. 
 
 In the autumn of 1727, the people here, and throughout 
 New England, were greatly alarmed by a succession of i'artA- 
 qvxilits, the first and most violent of which occurred on the 
 29th of October. It was the Sabbath. In the afternoon, Mr. 
 Gookin preached from Ezekiel 7 : 7 — " The day of trouble is 
 near." In the preparation of the sermon during the week 
 previous, he found it so difficult to fix his attention upon any 
 other subject, except a kindred one wliich formed the theme 
 of his forenoon's discourse, that he seemed to have a jiresenti- 
 ment, that something unusual was about to occur. In refer- 
 ence to this, although he disclaimed all pretensions to the gift 
 
70 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 of jDrophecy, he remarked in his sermon, "I know not but 
 there may be a particular warning, designed by God, ot some 
 day of trouble near, perhaps to me, perhaps to you, perhaps 
 to all of us." A few hours passed away, and m the evenmg 
 the earthcjuake came "with a terrible noise, sometlnng like 
 thunder," and "the houses trembled, as if they werefalhng." 
 Consternation seized both men and beasts. "The brute crea- 
 tures ran roaring about the fields, as in the greatest distress ; 
 and mankind were as nnicli surprised as they, and some with 
 a very great terror." All "saw a necessity for looking to God 
 for liis'' protection." As shocks, though slighter than the 
 first, continued to be felt day after day for a considerable 
 time, the people generally became thoughtful and serious. 
 They met together for religious services, and many were 
 found "asking the way to Zion, with their faces thitherward," 
 and,before the close of the next year, more than seventy persons 
 were gathered into the church. Mr. Gookin's health failing, 
 it was found necessary that he should be assisted in his labors, 
 as early as July, 17.31, and perhaps earlier. Several persons 
 were e'mphjyed at different times to render such assistance, 
 and, a little" before the death of the pastor, one of them was 
 settled as his colleague. Mr. Gookin died of a slow fever, 
 Aug. 25, 1734, aged nearly 48 years, one half of this time 
 having been spent in the ser^dce of tliis church. During his 
 ministry, 320 persons were admitted to full commuuion with 
 the church, and about 975 baptized. Years before his death, 
 tliis wortliy minister said that, in case he shoidd 1)6 taken 
 away from his family, his great comfort, next to his hojie in 
 the merciful providence of God, was that he should leave them 
 with a kind and loving people. His confidence in liis people 
 was not misplaced. The town by a unanimous vote appro- 
 priated £100 to pay the funeral charges of their beloved 
 pastor, and soon after made ample provision for the comfor- 
 table support of his widow and her family, by building a 
 house and barn for her use, furnishiug her with fuel and 
 various other articles, and granting her an annuity of £80 
 during her natural life ; nor was she unworthy the benefac- 
 tions of the peopjle, so liberally bestowed. 
 
 One of the persons employed by the to^\Ti, to jireach for 
 Eev. Mr. Gookin during Ms protracted illness, was Mr. Ward 
 Cotton, whose first sermon in Hampton was delivered in 
 July, 1731. Nearly three years afterward, he was in^dted to 
 settle, and having accepted the invitation, was ordained col- 
 league pastor. At liis ordination, a sermon was preached by 
 his brother Eev. John Cotton, of Newton, Ms. This is the 
 first account that we have of a sermon being preached at 
 
HAMPTON. 71 
 
 an ordination here. It is not improbable, that hitlierto, the 
 candidates for settlement had themselves preaclied, on STich 
 occasions. Tlie church at this time appears to have been in 
 a prosperous condition. It consisted of 253 members, one 
 tliird of whom 'were males. About four j-ears later, a large 
 portion of the members who lived in the north part of the 
 town, formed a new church at what was then called North- 
 HiU, — now the tov^m of North Hampton. 
 
 In 1746 the Board of War in Massachusetts invited Mr. 
 Cotton to go to Cape Breton, as chaplain to the army al)Out 
 to be sent for the reduction of Louisburg. He laid the re- 
 quest before the church and inquired whither they were will- 
 ing that he should go. The church generally voted in the 
 negative ; only about ten voting in favor, "and they had 
 children or other relatives there." Mr. Cotton's ministry was 
 longer than that of any of his predecessors, but it closed before 
 his death. Charges were brought against him, of conducting 
 himself on several occasions in a manner inconsistent with 
 the character of a minister of the gospel. The whole matter 
 was submitted to a mutual council. After a thorough in- 
 vestigation, the council considered the charges substantiated, 
 though they charitably suggested, that liis errors might be 
 attributed to a paralytic shock, from which he had STitfered, 
 and wliich had somewhat impaired his mental faculties. 
 They, however, recommended, that his pastoral relation to tlic 
 church should be dissolved. The result of council was accep- 
 ted, and Mr. Cotton was dismissed Nov. 12, 1765. During 
 his ministry 427 persons were admitted to full comnumion, 
 and about 1200 were baptized. 
 
 The next pastor of the church was Kev. Ebenezer Thayer, 
 who received a call in June, 1766, and was ordained on the 
 17th of September following. The ordination sermon was 
 preached by Kev. Andrew Eliot, D. D., of Boston, from 
 2d Timothy, 2 : 15. Though the call extended to Mr. Thayer 
 was nearly unanimous, yet a remonstrance was presented to 
 the council assembled for his ordination, signed by more 
 than twenty jjersons, who expressed their apprehension, that 
 if the candidate should be ordained, " the to-mi was on the 
 verge of ruin." The reasons assigned were two : — first, that 
 the meetings, that had been held, "had not been carried on 
 with that love and unity which are necessary in the call of 
 a gospel minister;" second, "that so large a salary had been 
 voted to Mr. Thayer, that the town would never be able to 
 pay it." Notwithstanding this remonstrance, the ordination 
 took place at the time appointed ; the salary was paid from 
 year to year, and the town was not ruined. Mr. Thayer's 
 
72 
 
 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 ministry continued about 26 years, and was generally pros- 
 perous. Embracing the whole period of the American Eev- 
 olution and of the Confederation that preceded the adoption 
 of the Constitution, he and his jjeople were not exempt from 
 the toils and trials attendant upon onr country's struggle for 
 liberty, nor from the sufferings occasioned by the deprecia- 
 tion of the currency. But his people acted justly. They 
 consulted with him from time to time, to find what addition- 
 al sums must be paid him in order to make good his salaiy, 
 and paid him accordingly. During his ministry 102 persons 
 were admitted to tull communion, and 641 bajitized. Mr. 
 Thayer's labors terminated only with his life. On Sabbath, 
 Sept. 5, 1792, he preached, as usual. In the evening he 
 became unwell, and just as the sun rose the next morning, 
 he fell asleep in death, at the age of 58 years, leaving an 
 affectionate people to mourn his sudden departure. He was 
 born July 16, 1734, and graduated at Harvard college in 
 1753, where he was afterward a tutor six years, performing 
 the duties of his station in a very acceptable manner. He 
 married Martha Cotton, a niece of his predecessor in the 
 pastoral office. 
 
 There were in^dtations successively given to Mr. Nathaniel 
 Thayer son of the late pastor and to Mr. Daniel Dana to 
 become the pastor of the church, but both refused. Several 
 other candidates preached here, who were favorably received 
 by a majority of the town, but failed to secure the approba- 
 tion of the church. The consecpience was, there was an open 
 rupture. A majority of the town, finding that they could 
 not, according to Congregational usage, settle a minister 
 wuthout the consent of the church, voted themselves Presby- 
 terians, and joined the presbytery of Londondeny. By their 
 aid they settled Mr. William Pidgin, as a Presbyterian min- 
 ister, who received ordination, Jan. 27, 1796, and continued 
 in office till July, 1807, when he was dismissed. Mr. Pidgin 
 was a native of Newbury, and graduated at Dartmouth col- 
 lege in 1794. After his dismission from this place, he was 
 settled over a church in Minot, Me., and afterward removed 
 to Portland where he died. When the course of the town 
 was known, a large majority of the church, still adhering to 
 the Congregational poHty, and encouraged by the advice of 
 neighboring clergymen, without hesitation resolved to procure 
 a Congregational minister. They, with others that ralhed 
 round them, soon formed a Congregational Society, and, as 
 the Presbyterians had possession of the Meeting-house, a large 
 dwellinEf-house was lured, in which to hold their meetings, 
 tiU they could make some other provision. Some of the 
 
HAMPTON. 73 
 
 neighboring ministers preaclied for them a few Sahbaths, and 
 on "the 17th of April, 1796, Mr. Jesse Appleton delivered 
 his tirst sermon. He continued to preach for them abont ten 
 months, when, having received an invitation to become their 
 pastor, he was ordained Feb. 22, 1797. Kev. Samuel McClin- 
 tock,I).D. preached on the occasion. The spring following 
 they began to build a Meeting-house, which was finished the 
 same year, and dedicated Nov. 14, 1797. Mr. Appleton was 
 fully aware of the responsibility of the ministerial ofSce, and 
 he fearlessly and faitlifully yet ■w'ith remarkaljle prudence, 
 performed the duties of his station. By an orderly distribu- 
 tion of his time and a strict and uniform adherence to a well- 
 digested plan for study, for parochial calls, and for other 
 labors, he was enabled to accomplish much, witliout ever 
 being in a hurry. Such were his arrangements in his prepara- 
 tions for the Sabbath, that he was seldom ol^liged to appear 
 in the pulpit with an iU-constructed, or hastily written dis- 
 course. In 1807, without ha\'ing been pre\dously consulted, he 
 was elected to the Presidency of Bowdoin college, then vacant 
 by the death of Kev. Dr. McKean, and his acceptance was 
 ■warmly urged by the friends of the Institution. His fondness 
 for literary pursuits, his discriminating mind, his affability, 
 and his deep interest in the welfare of youth, admirably fitted 
 him for the station to which he had been called ; yet he shrank 
 from sundering the tender ties which bound him to an affec- 
 tionate and beloved peo^ile. Uncertain as to his duty, he laid 
 the subject before the church. A council was called in Nov. 
 1807, not for the purpose of merely sanctioning a foregone 
 decision, but of hearing and examining the case, and of giving 
 advice to both j^astor and people. In their result, the council 
 say that, "after the most careful, serious, and prayerful 
 dehberation," they had arrived at the conclusion, that it was 
 the duty of Mr. Ajipleton to accept the ajipointment, and 
 that his pastoral relations to the church shoidd be dissolved. 
 The result was accepted, and he was accordingly dismissed, 
 and soon after inaugurated as President of the college. Mr. 
 Appleton was a son of Francis Appleton, of New Ipswich, 
 and was born Nov. 17, 1772. He graduated at Dartmouth 
 college in 1792. In 1800 he married Ehzabeth Means, 
 daughter of Hon. Kobert Means, of Amherst. They had 
 six children, three daughters Iwrn at Hampton, and three sons 
 at Brunswick, Me. Of these, only two are now living, viz. 
 Mary Means, the wife of John Aikin, Esq. of Andover, Ms. 
 and Jane Means, the wife of Franklin Pierce, now President 
 of the United States. Dr. Apjileton died at Brunswick, 
 Nov. 24, 1819, aged 47 years and seven days. 
 
74 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 The Congregational and the Presbyterian churches were now 
 both destitute of pastors. It was by many thought best that 
 a re-union should be efE'ected. An effort was successfully made 
 to accomplish an object so desirable. The terms of union 
 having been agreed upon, the Presbyterians returned to the 
 bosom of the mother church. The old Meeting-house, at the 
 Grreen, was forsaken, and a year or two afterwards taken 
 down. Over the church thus constituted, Piev. Josiah Webster 
 was settled June 8, 1808. The installation sermon was 
 preached by Piev. Samuel Worcester, of Salem, Ms. At 
 that tune the church consisted of 135 members. During his 
 ministry, there were several seasons of refreshing, and as the 
 result of one of these, in 1827, fifty persons were gathered into 
 the church. The whole number admitted during Ms minis- 
 try was 170. Mr. Webster remained pastor of the church 
 till he was called away by death. His last public act was the 
 j)reaching of the sermon at the ordination of his son John 
 Calvin, at Newburjijort, Ms. where he was ordained as Sea- 
 men's Chaplain at the port of Cronstadt, in Kussia, March 15, 
 1837. His health had jjreviously been infirm, and this effort 
 was more than he could endure. The day following, he 
 returned lionie to die. He remarked, that ho thought 
 his work on earth was done, and then added, "Well, if it be 
 30, I know not with what act I could close my hfe with more 
 satisfaction." He died March 27, twelve days after the 
 ordination. 
 
 About one year after Mr. Webster's decease, a call to Mr. 
 Erasmus Darwn Eldredge, a native of Dunstable, Ms., having 
 been given and accepted, he was ordained pastor of the church 
 April 4, 1838. During his pastorate of about eleven years, 
 there were several seasons of more than ordinary religious 
 interest among his people, and considerable additions were 
 made to the church. Mr. Eldredge was dismissed, at Ms own 
 request, May 7, 1849, and was soon after settled at Salisbury 
 in this State. He now lias the charge of a Female Seminary 
 at Monticello, Georgia. 
 
 Mr. Solomon Payson Fay succeeded Mr. Eldredge in the 
 pastoral office, and was ordained Sept. 6, 1849. He was 
 a native of Westborough, Ms. though his parents now live 
 in Ohio. He graduated at Marietta college, in 1845, and 
 studied theology at Andover, Ms. A few months after his 
 settlement at Hampton he married L. Maria Brigham, of 
 Southborougli, Ms. In the latter part of the summer of 
 1854, Mr. Fay having been invited to take the pastoral charge 
 of a Congregational church in Dayton, Ohio, asked and 
 received a dismission from this church, to enable him to accept 
 
HAMPTON FALLS. 75 
 
 the call from the church at Dayton, over which he was soon 
 after installed. 
 
 The ordination oi Mr. John Colby, as pastor of this church 
 took place Oct. 31, 1855. Rev. J. P. Cleveland, D. D. of 
 Lowell, Ms. preached the sermon. Mr. Colby was born at 
 York, Me., Oct. 1, 1822, graduated at Dartmouth college in 
 1852 and at the Andover Theo. Seminary in 1855. Ho began 
 his ministry under pleasing circumstances, for the next Sab- 
 bath after his orilination six persons united with the church, 
 two of them young men in a course of jjreparation for College. 
 The church now embraces one hundred and seventy members 
 and has paid a salary of f 600. 
 
 HAMPTON FALLS.* 
 
 Hampton Falls was incorporated as a Parish May 12, 
 1718. It was formerly a part of Hampton. The first Meet- 
 ing-house was erected as early as 1711. It stood on the 
 " Hill," and occupied the present site of the Weare Monu- 
 ment. It was occupied before it was entirely finished. In 
 1737 it was thoroughly repaired, and a new roof put upon 
 it. In 1780 it was voted, to sell the old Meeting-house, and 
 appropriate the avails to the support of the poor. Oct. 20, 
 1768, "voted to build a new Meeting-house, near the cen- 
 ter of the inhabitants." This house, 55 by 40 feet, was ready 
 for dedication Jan. 1770. It stood till the year 1842, when 
 it was taken down by order of the town. Its site is now 
 occupied by the dweUing-house of Wells W. Healey, Esq. 
 The Unitarian Meeting-house stands on the opposite side of 
 the road, and was dedicated Jan. 1, 1839. Dec. 9, 1711, 
 forty seven persons were dismissed from the old church in 
 Hampton, " in order to their entering into church-state in 
 the south part of the town." Dec. 13th, a day of fasting 
 and prayer was observed and a church organized consisting 
 of 56 persons. Picv. Messrs. Odlin, of Exeter, Cushing, of 
 Salisbm-y, Ms. and G-ookin of Hampton, assisted on tlie oc- 
 casion. " The Piev. Mr. Cushing preacht and gathered the 
 church." A short time after its organization 19 persons 
 were received by letter to the church. 
 
 " Theophilus Cotton was ordained Pas-Tour of the church 
 of HamptonfaUs, The 2d Jan. 1712. The Eevd. mr Rodg- 
 ers of Portsmouth giving him the Charge, And the Revd. 
 Mr. Cushing of Salisbury giving him the Right Hand ot 
 
 » Sketch by Rev. S. T. Abboll. 
 
76 
 
 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 Fellowship." His salaiy was £ 60 a year. In 1721, it was 
 increased by the addition of £ 20. Mr. Cotton was a grand- 
 son of Rev. John Cotton of Boston, who was much distin- 
 guished in the early history of this country. His father 
 whose name was John, was minister in Plymouth, Ms. twen- 
 ty eight years. Mr. Cotton's ministry continued about 15 
 years, during which 98 persons were received to full com- 
 munion ; 35 owned the covenant, in order to their own or 
 their children's baptism, and 468, 72 of which were from the 
 Shoals, were baptized. Seven persons were dismissed Sept. 
 12, 1725, to become connected with a church, to be formed 
 at Kingston. The church appears to have been in a peace- 
 ful and prosperous condition during the whole period of Mr. 
 Cotton's ministry. In his quiet country parish, he spent 
 the active years of his life in diligent labors for the good of 
 a people by whom he was highly esteemed, and enjoying the 
 respect of the neighboring ministry. The Eev. Mr. Clookin 
 of Hampton, who preached the funeral sermon the next 
 Sabbath after his death, from 2 Cor. 5 : 4, and John 5 : 35, 
 " gave him a good character." His ministry was closed by 
 his death. The church records contain the following notice : 
 "August 16, 1726, Died the Eevd. Mr. Theophilus Cotton, 
 Pistor of the second Church in Hampton after a faitlifuU 
 Discharge of that office for nigh 15 years & was Decently 
 Buried the 18th following, at the charge of the Parish." — 
 He was buried in the old burying ground,* and a monument 
 erected over Iris grave which bears the following inscription : 
 " Here lyes ye body of ye Eevd. Mr. Theophilus Cotton, ye 
 First Minister of ye Church at Hamptonfalls, who after he 
 had served G-od faithfully in his generation, Deceased, Au- 
 gust ye 16th, 1726, in ye 45th year of his age. Blessed 
 are the dead tohich die in the Lord." After his death it 
 was voted to buy buildings and lands of Mrs. Cotton for 
 "the use of the jiarish forever." 
 
 In Sept. 1726, Mr. Edmund March was invited to preach 
 as a candidate for settlement. In October of the same year 
 Mr. Whipple was employed. In Nov. he received a call to 
 settle as pastor. His ordination took place Jan. 4th, 1727. 
 His salary was £ 120 a year and the use of the parsonage. — 
 In 1732 £ 20 were added to it, afterwards £ 30 were added, 
 and then £ 40. Under this ministry, which continued more 
 than thirty years, the church appears to have been in a pros- 
 perous state. About 236 persons were received to full com- 
 
 * The old bur>-ing ground is first mentioned in the records ]\Iarch 18, 1722-3. There 
 sleep with kindred dust the bodies of the first three ministers of Itampton Falls. And 
 there repose the remains of Hon. Meshech Weare, the first Chief Magistrate of Ne\v 
 Hampshire after the Revolution, with those of several members of his family. 
 
HAMPTON FALLS. 77 
 
 iiiunion, 179 o-mied or renewed the covenant, and 1136 were 
 baptized. Discipline was carefnlly maintained. The church 
 was in\ated to sixteen conncils, thirteen of which were for 
 ordination. Of ninety one dismissed and recommended to 
 other chnrches, 57 were dismissed Oct. 4, 1737 "to incorpo- 
 rate at Kensington." Mr. Wliipple was a native of that 
 part of Ipswich whicli is now Hamilton, Ms. He was born 
 in 1701. His wife's name was Elizabeth. She owned the 
 covenant, and was liaptized April 14, 1728, and was admit- 
 ted to full communion June 2, of the same year. She sur- 
 %'ived her husband who died Feb. 17, 1757. She was much 
 beloved by the people with whom she had so long resided. — 
 Her second husband who was Kev. John Lowell, it is said, 
 preached the first Sabbath after Mr. '\A^iipple's death from 
 the words, "I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to 
 j-ou."' But when he came and carried her away, the people 
 said, " AVe never desired such miserable comfort as this." 
 She died in Portsmouth. Mr. Whijiple was an active, effi- 
 cient pastor. The Rev. Thomas Barnard of Salem, Ms. who 
 preached the ordination sermon of his successor, thus s]ieaks 
 of him : " your late most worthy Pastor, that Friend of Man- 
 kind, who is now we trust in full Exercise of that generous 
 Friendsliip and universal Love (in the Paradise of the 
 Lord,) which he so cultivated, and of which he was such a 
 shining example in Life." He disapproved of the course of 
 Wliitefield, and was one of the clergymen " who wrote to 
 the Boston ministers, representing the evils resulting from 
 admitting Whitefielcl into their pulpits." He was buried 
 by the side of his predecessor, Rev. Mr. Cotton. The Par- 
 ish authorized a committee to defray the expense of the fu- 
 neral " proAuded it did not exceed four hundred pounds old 
 tenor." His gravestone bears this inscription : " Here lies 
 the body of the Revd Mr Joseph Whipple, who having wise- 
 ly and faithfully discharged the pastoral office, in the Second 
 Church in Hampton, deceased Febry 17th 1757, in the 56th 
 year of his age & 32d of his ministry, highly esteemed & 
 beloved in life, and in death much lamented." 
 
 May 3, 1757, a call was extended to Josiah Bailey, which 
 was accepted, and he was ordained Oct. 19, 1757. The 
 salary offered was £42, and the use of the parsonage. The 
 amormt of salary was afterwards increased. Mr. Bailey's 
 ministry was brief, but acceptable. He was thoroughly 
 evangelical, and devotedly pious. Under his ministry the 
 cause of religion received a new impulse, and the church was 
 much revived ; 23 owned or renewed the covenant, and 
 122 were baptized. He was born Jan. 26, 1734, graduated 
 
78 
 
 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 at Harvard 1752, at the age of 18. He was never married. 
 He was much beloved by his people. They deeply lamented 
 his early death. The Kev. Mr. Barnard, who was his instruct- 
 or, speaks of him in terms of commendation. He lies buried 
 by the side of his predecessors, Cotton and Wliipi)le. His 
 gravestone bears this inscription, " Here are interred the 
 remains of tlie Eev. Mr. Josiah Bailey, the tliird pastor of 
 the clun-cli in Hampton Falls, who after lie had wisely and 
 faithfully discharged the duties of his office for the space of 
 5 years, was received into the joy of his Lord, Sept. 12th, 
 1762, iBtatis 28." Before another minister was settled 23 
 persons were baptized. 
 
 " Dec. 14, 1763, Paine Wingate, A. M., was ordained pas- 
 tor of the second church of Christ in Hampton, having been 
 first received by them upon his dismission and recommenda- 
 tion from the second church of Christ in Amesbury, and 
 then elected from among them." No note of discord appears 
 in the experience of this church for more than 50 years from 
 the time of its organization. Jan. 28, 1765, a portion of 
 the church, professing dissatisfaction with Mr. Wingate on 
 the ground of doctrine, asked to be dismissed that they 
 might be formed into a Presbyterian church. This was one 
 of the first steps toward forming a Presbyterian church in 
 Seabrook, then a part of Hampton Falls. When Seabrook 
 became a separate parish, a proposition was made to change 
 the location of the Meeting-house. This met with strenuous 
 opposition. But a new house was built "near the center of 
 the inhabitants." Jan. 30, 1770, a majority of the parish 
 "voted that the Eev. Mr. Pain Wingate shall go to the new 
 Meeting-house, and preach and dedicate the said house to 
 the public worship of God as soon as conveniently may be." 
 This he declined to do. In Dec. they refused to raise his 
 salary. April 23, 1771, an ecclesiastical council was called 
 to advise and assist in reference to the difficulties existing in 
 the parish. In Sept. the parish voted his dismission, giving 
 him £50 and the use of the parsonage for four years. Preach- 
 ing was hired for several years, Mr. Wingate still retaining 
 his connection with the church and jiarish. March 12, 1776, 
 Mr. AVingate resigned his office as pastor. Mai-ch 18, he re- 
 quested a dismission from his pastoral relation to the church. 
 His recjuest was duly compHed with. His church connec- 
 tion, and that of his mfe, also, was removed to the church 
 in Stratham. His active ministry here continued about 
 eight years. But Ms pastoral connection with the church 
 and parish extended through a little more than twelve years. 
 Baptisms during this period were 184, marriages of parties 
 
HAMPTON FALLS. 79 
 
 belonging to Hampton Falls 45, a)icl others 274. Many- 
 came from Massachusetts, and were married in virtue of a 
 license from the Governor, rather than he })uhlished in the 
 old form at home. Mr. Wingate's ministry was greatly 
 disturbed by the unhappy contentions wliich existed in the 
 parish, and which continued after his removal. Mr. Win- 
 gate was born May 14, 1739, graduated at Harvard 1759. 
 He married Eunice Pickering, daughter of Dea. Timothy 
 Pickering of Salem, and sister of Hon. Timothy Pickering, 
 the well known distinguished statesman. Mrs. Wingate 
 survived her husband, and died in 184.3, in the 101st year of 
 her age. They had live children. Their descendants are 
 numerous and resjjectable. 
 
 On his removal from Hampton Falls, Mr. Wingate settled 
 upon a farm in Stratham. He preached some, liut was soon 
 called to take an important part in the aflairs of State. He 
 was a member of the old Congress under what was called the 
 Confederation. He was a member of the State Legislature, 
 a Eepresentative and a Senator in Congress, and a Judge in 
 the Superior Court, where he " sustained the character of a 
 well informed, discerning, and upright judge. He jiossessed 
 a strong, cultivated, and well lialanced mind, with great 
 independence and decision, and with no less frankness and 
 ecpanimity. In his religious sentiments he was a decided 
 Trinitarian, and accorded mainly with Henry, Watts, and 
 Doddridge." He died March 7, 1838, in the 99th year of his 
 age, having " outlived all who were members of college 
 while he was there, all who were members of the house of 
 representatives and of the senate in which he had first taken 
 his seat, and all except one (Judge Timothy Fari-ar of New 
 Ipswich) who were members of the court at the time of his 
 appointment to the bench." 
 
 In Nov. 1774, a committee was appointed " to go and 
 treat with the lower end of the parish concerning the diffi- 
 culties that subsist in the parish," and another to apply to 
 the Association for advice respecting a minister. For sev- 
 eral years there was preaching in both Meeting-houses. Nov. 
 17, 1780, the " members that withdrew from the ordinances 
 under Mr. Wingate's ministry contrary to order, and also 
 put themselves under the care of the Presbyterian church, 
 returned, made confession, and were restored." After the 
 .settlement of another minister, those who had opposed the 
 building of a new Meeting-house quietly joined in the sup- 
 port of religious institutions. 
 
 In 1780, Rev. Samuel Langdon, D. D., was invited to 
 settle with a salary of £50 in money, and the use of the 
 
80 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 parsonage. Subsequently £10 were added to the salary. 
 Dr. Langdon's ministry was peaceful and prosperous. It 
 continued about seventeen years, during which time eleven 
 were received to full communion ; 40 owned the covenant, 
 and 72 were baptized. His preaching was grave, serious, 
 and biblical. He "professed to be a Trinitarian, and a Cal- 
 vinist." He was born in Boston, Ms., 1723, graduated at 
 Harvard 1740, served as chaplain in the army that captured 
 Louisburg 1745, settled in Portsmouth Feb. 4, 1747, entered 
 upon his duties as President of Harvard university Oct, 14, 
 1774, was delegate to the convention held in 1788 at Exeter 
 to adopt the Federal Constitution. After his settlement in 
 Hampton Falls, Jan. 18, 1781, " he spent the residue of his 
 days in usefulness and peace, a blessing to the people of his 
 charge, and happy in the enjoyment of their affection and 
 respect." His body rests in the new burying ground, a short 
 distance from the Meeting-house where he had officiated. 
 His gravestone bears an inscription which commends his 
 "extensive knowledge, hos]3itality, Catholicism, patriotism, 
 and piety." He published numerous sermons and some 
 larger works. He gave his library to the church for the use 
 of the minister of Hampton Falls. 
 
 Jan. 17, 1798 was observed as a day of fasting and prayer 
 in reference to the settlement of another minister. Soon 
 after this a call was extended to Jacob Abbott "to settle as 
 the minister of the town, and pastor of the church, with 
 a salary of 300 silver dollars," and the use of the j^arsonage. 
 He was ordained Aug. 15, 1798. The ministry of Mr. Ab- 
 bott commenced under favorable auspices. But the harmony 
 of the parish was soon disturbed by the religious movement 
 in which Elias Smith was a prominent leader. One individ- 
 ual who had embraced these sentiments was labored with by 
 the church in 1803. In 1809, for the same cause, 21 were 
 exempted from the usual ministerial tax. About the same 
 time, Mr. Abbott received an invitation to take charge of 
 the Hummer Academy. But, in accordance with the advice 
 of a council convened for that purpose in the summer of 
 1809, he declined the invitation. His ministry continued 
 about 29 years, during which 148 were baptized, and twelve 
 united with the church. On account of the di\dded state of 
 the town, Mr. Abbott tendered his resignation in 1826. He 
 was regularly dismissed by a council, Oct. 23, 1827. 
 
 After his dismission, Mr. Abbott removed to Windham, 
 where he purchased a farm and spent the remainder of his 
 days, but continued to preach occasionally till his death. 
 He was drowned Nov. 2, 1834, by the upsetting of a boat, at 
 
& 
 
 KENSINGTON. 81 
 
 the age of 66. In the latter part of his life he adhered to 
 the theological ^iews of Unitarians. He was a man of " well 
 cultivated mind, a mild disposition, and was governed by 
 rehgious principle from his childhood." He was much es- 
 teemed and beloved b}' those to whom he ministered during 
 a large portion of his active Ufe. Mrs. Abbott died in Con 
 cord, N. H., Jan. 27, 1843, aged 63. 
 
 Mr. Abbott was the last minister settled by the to\\Tr. 
 After his dismission, Eev. Messrs. J. Thurston, W. F. Row- 
 land and others preached as occasional supplies. The desk 
 was sometimes occupied by other denominations. Rev. Mo- 
 ses Dow preached about three years from 1830. The deep 
 toned piety of Mr. Dow, and his earnest and serious exhibi- 
 tion of the great doctrines of the cross did much to promote 
 vital godUness during liis brief stay in the place. April 
 1833, Rev. Mr. Wood, Unitarian, was employed. June, the 
 same year, Eev. Henry C. Jewett, Orthodox, was invited to 
 preach, and remain through the season. During his stay 
 the Orthodox and Unitarians se])arated. The former united 
 ■svith the people of Sealjrook in the support of preaching, and 
 employed Orthodox preachers. From the time of Mr. Ab- 
 bott's dismission to 1835, 10 were baptized, and 25 admitted 
 to the church. 
 
 The Baptist Society, first formed about 1808, has since be- 
 come tw^o, namely, Calvinistic and Free Will. The people 
 of the town generally are connected \^'ith some one of the 
 rehgious societies now existing in the place. For more than 
 a century from the first organization of the Congregational 
 church there were continued additions to it, except for the 
 few years of strife which arose from changing the location of 
 the Meeting-house. And the general prosperity and good 
 habits of the inhabitants, and their present attachment to 
 some of the existing forms of religious worship, show that 
 the fruits of the labors and examjjle of the fathers have not 
 been wholly lost upon the children. But the details of 
 recent and passing events must be left lor the pen of the 
 future historian. 
 
 KENSINGTON. 
 
 April 1, 1737, is the date at which Kensington became a 
 town corporated. It was detached from Hampton. Rev. Jer- 
 emiah Fogg was ordained Nov. 1737 over a church formed on 
 the 6th of the preceding month, consisting of 64 members. 
 
82 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 Born in Hampton, a graduate of Harvard, he was j^astor of 
 the church fifty two years and died Dec. 1, 1789, aged 77 
 years. In Jan. of that year a bitter trial befel the church. 
 Its members felt impelled to complain of their pastor for 
 heretical teachings. A council met. Dr. McClintock of 
 Greenland presided in the council. Mr. Fogg's sentiments 
 were unanimously disapproved, in that he lield that " Clirist 
 was no more than a mere man and that we are justified by 
 works — meaning, before God." Such was the clrarge sus- 
 tained by full testimony. And the language of the council 
 is very full and explicit, showing their attachment to the 
 faith of their fathers and that these views were an innovation 
 among them. 
 
 After him came Naphtali Shaw, born in North Bridge- 
 water, Ms. June 20th, 1764, a graduate of Dartmouth in 
 1790, settled Jan. 30, 1793. He was dismissed Jan. 13, 
 1813, and had a pastorate of twenty years. In 1779 and 1780 
 he was a soldier in the war of the Revolution ; and a teacher 
 some years before he settled in the ministry. After his dis- 
 mission he went to Bradford, Vt., to reside with his son. 
 
 Mr. Nathaniel Kennedy followed liim in the ministry here. 
 He was a native of Ireland, was ordained Jan. 13, 1813, and 
 dismissed July 1, 1816, and died in 1843. After leaving 
 this place he was employed in teaching in Philadelphia. 
 
 Joseph A. E. Long, born in Amesbury Ms., a graduate of 
 Harvard in the class of 1818, was settled here June 5, 1822, 
 and removed April 8, the following year. He was in Lyman, 
 Maine, in 1836. He afterwards labored again in the place 
 for a time and also in Hooksett. Rev. Bezaleel Smith 
 preached to this church for awhile previous to 1829. Mr. 
 Fogg's ministry seemed efficacious in the first portion of it 
 but was ruinous in its later influences. Mr. Shaw entered 
 a very trying field, but saw some changes for the better. — 
 The Covenant was revised by him. But at a subsequent 
 period the church became Unitarian, [see account of Hamp- 
 ton Falls.] The responsibility must be vast upon those 
 who admit the beginnings of error into their own minds, or 
 who are instrumental of them in a church. 
 
 KINGSTON. 
 
 Rev. John H. Mkllish. 
 
 About the year 1694 a grant of land was made to forty 
 men of Hampton ; the grant included the territory embraced 
 
KINGSTON. 83 
 
 in the towns of Kingston, East Kingston, Danville and San- 
 down and the town was named, Kingstown. Attempts to 
 settle the town were much hindei'ed by the hostility of the 
 Indians. The first volume of the town rcct)rds is not known 
 to be in existence. The early records extant wliich go liack 
 to the year 1700 consist chiefly of descriptions of grants of 
 land. In 1703 there appears a record of a grant of laud to 
 the fij'st minister that the town shall call and settle in the 
 work of the ministry, also, a vote determining the site for a 
 Meeting-house. Under date of 1702, where lots are describ- 
 ed and numbered, lot 14 is assigned to the ]iarsonage. A 
 to'ftm meeting was warned to meet at Aaron Sleeper's garri- 
 son, Dec. 12, 1705. One object of this meeting was, " to 
 consider of some way to secure a minister to be with us.'' 
 At this meeting the town chose a committee " to look out 
 for and agree with a minister ; that the men thus chosen 
 shall not exceed £ 40 a year ; but shall agree with him as 
 much under £ 40 as they can." Oct. 1707, there is a rec- 
 ord of an agreement of the town to pay a salary to Rev. Mr. 
 Benjamin Clioate of £50 a year; £30 current silver money 
 and £20 in labor and provision jtnj ; also, a grant of land. 
 There appears from time to time the record of a vote, "that 
 the town give Rev. B. Choate forty cords of wood this year." 
 April 16, 1716, a committee was chosen to confer with Mr. 
 Benjamin Choate "upon terms of continuance amongst us 
 in the work of the ministry ; " also a vote to add £ 10 to the 
 salary making the whole £60, "at the end of two years £5 
 more yearly if he continues with us in the work of the min- 
 istry." Also, a vote that £40 shall be presented to him 
 when he builds a house in this town. Five voters entered 
 their dissent to this vote. 
 
 Feb. 16, 1720, a call was given to Mr. William Tomson 
 and an otfer of a salaiy ot £ 80 a year ; £ 40 money and 
 £40 provision pay; also, "a grant of land to Mr. Tomson, 
 provided he be our ordained minister and continue with us 
 in the work of the ministry ten or fifteen years except God 
 should take him away by cleath ; " also, the use of the par- 
 sonage meadow "during the term of his natural life." He 
 answered atfirmatively to this call. But besides this, his 
 name is not mentioned except in connection with a grant of 
 land under date of April 5, 1721, and on the church records, 
 Oct. 30, 1728, is the marriage of the "Rev. Mr. Williain 
 Thompson and Anna Hubbard, by Rev. Ward Clark." 
 There is now no tradition that such a man ever preached in 
 Kingston. 
 
 In the year 1725 Mr. Ward Clark received and accepted 
 
84 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 a call from the town to settle as their minister. A salary of 
 £ 80 was voted, but the town added £ 10 before his settle- 
 ment. The church was gathered Sept. 17, 1725. Here 
 commence the churcli records, mth an accoimt of the fami- 
 lies belonging to Kingston wlien the Eev. Mr. Ward Clark 
 took charge of the church, Sept. 29, 1725. Here follows a 
 list of heads of families. The "Squire's" name comes first, 
 then the names of military officers. There is one "ilfr." 
 Benjamin Choate in the list and one is described as a Qua- 
 ker. Some of the names are noiu extremely common, such 
 as Sanborn and Webster. In tliis list are Thomas, John, 
 Thomas Jun. and Ebenezer Webster. One of these was the 
 ancestor of Hon. Daniel Webster. The number of families 
 was — "/ft all Eifihty and one." Then follows an account of 
 the deaths in KeV. Ward Clark's time. The year 1735 was 
 marked by the ravages of a terrible disease which continued 
 into the year 1736 until almost all the children in town were 
 taken away by death. The summer months were most fatal. 
 In June, 1735, number of deaths, 13 ; July, 20 j August, 26. 
 Note at the end of the year — "Tliis mortahty was by a 
 Ranker Quinsey which mostly seized upon young people and 
 has proved exceeding mortal in several other towns. It is 
 supposed there never was the like before in this country." 
 The next thing which the Church records show, is — "a list 
 of the Communicants at the first gathering of the church at 
 Kingston at the Fast before the ordination of the Eev. Mr. 
 Ward Clark," which were 22 in number. Mr. Clark was 
 evidently a man of much business tact and a very influential 
 and active man in the affairs of the town and church. His 
 policy was to encourage additions to the church, and during 
 the first year of liis ministry, it was voted that "Members 
 be admitted without being obliged to make Eolations." 
 The town made liberal grants of land to him and added from 
 year to year £ 10 to his salary, making in all £ 90. For 
 several years the amount added to his regular salary is £20. 
 Mr. Clark married Miss Mary Frost, Nov. 20, 1727 ; Mrs. 
 C. and infant chHd died July 27, 1735. Mr. C. died May 
 6, 1737. He had a long sickness at Exeter. He left by a 
 will a bequest for the support of the poor, and another for 
 the support of the gospel. Mr. Choate outlived Mr. Clark 
 many years ; his name appears in the to'mi books as moder- 
 ator of town meeting and school-master ; he died Nov. 26, 
 1753, aged 73. 
 
 June" 9, 1737, the town voted to call Mr. Feter Coffin 
 to settle as minister with an offer of a salary of £150, but 
 eighteen voters recorded their dissent. The settlement was 
 not effected. 
 
KINGSTON. 85 
 
 Sept. 6, 1737, the town by a unanimous vote invited 
 Mr. Joseph Secconibe to settle as minister. The call was 
 accepted, and he Avas ordained Nov. 23, 1737 and preached 
 the ordination sermon himself, from Mark 7 : 37. During 
 his ministry, the half-way covenant was in vogue. Evidence 
 is not found that the revival in New England in tlie year 
 1740 and the following years was felt at Kingston. (Jne or 
 two Kingstiiu people may have been awakened by M^hite- 
 field's sermons at Exeter. At a church fast, April 19, 1753, 
 a pajjer embracing a.cknowledgments and resolutions was 
 read to the congregation from which we quote, as follows — 
 "We sincerely resolve by the help of God as a Christian 
 congregation to walk together in all the ways of Divine 
 worship according to the rules of the gospel and the degrees 
 of communion to which we have attained ; and that wc will 
 be very careful for our own good conduct and the behavior 
 of those whom we are immediately concerned with, in the 
 several relations in wliich we stand." Kev. Joseph Secconibe 
 died Sept. 15, 1760. His ministry reached through more 
 than twenty two years. He was a graduate of Harvard 
 imiversity and a native of Medfird, Ms. 
 
 The third ordained pastor of Kingston, was Mr. Amos 
 Tappan, ordained August 18, 1762. He died June 23, 1771. 
 His ministry was less than nine years. He was received to 
 the communion of the tirst church in Kingston by a letter 
 of recommendation from the church in Camliridge, Ms., on 
 the day of Ms ordination. 
 
 The fjurth ordained minister of Kingston was Elihu 
 Thayer, D. D., ordained Dec. 18, 1776 ; born at Braintree, 
 Ms. ; died April 3, 1812, in the 66th year of his age and the 
 36th year of his ministry. Dr. Thayer was a man of supe- 
 rior wisdom and liis advice in ditficuJt matters was eagerly 
 sought by the churches in the ^acinity. He was a sound 
 preacher, thoroughly orthodox in his sentiments and laboiious 
 in the duties of his calling. In the early part of his ministry 
 certainly some were received into the church on the half-way 
 covenant plan, but it seems that this practice fell into entire 
 disuse. There was no special revival of religion during his 
 ministry, and indeed the number of members of the church 
 at the time oi his death nuist have been very small ; as 
 appears by a Hst made out a little more than a year after his 
 death, there were but iifteen members, of whom nine were 
 present to renew their covenant at a certain meeting and six 
 were not present. Dea. Stevens was tlie only male member 
 on the list. The settled ministers who preceded Dr. Thayer 
 are spoken of as preachers by aged people who heard about 
 
86 ROCKIXGHAM COUNTY- 
 
 them, as being Arminian — a rather vague term but probably 
 indicating a vagueness in their jjreaching, a keeping in the 
 back ground the doctrines that are distinctively called " doc- 
 trines of grace." After Dr. Thayer's death the church 
 remained without a j^astor for five or six years, but was 
 supplied by Mr. Wilbur and many others. In the year 1813 
 there is record of admissions to the church — fve by Kev. 
 J. H. C\\\\xd\—Jifteen by Kev. Moses Stuart, (he hajipening 
 to preach that day at Kingston,) and Jmir by Kev. Thomas 
 Holt, in aU twenty four. In 1814 there were seven admis- 
 sions. 
 
 Jan. 1, 1818, Kev. John Turner formerly pastor of the 
 church in Biddef.ird Me., was installed pastor of the church 
 in Kingston. This is the last clergyman who received his 
 call to settle from the town. A remonstrance was sent in to 
 the council against Iris installation ; but the council saw no 
 cause why they should not proceed. 
 
 We now enter upon what is probably the very darkest 
 i:)eiiod in the history of this church. A cjuarrel arose 
 respecting the manner in which the income of the property 
 left by the first minister (Kev. Ward Clark) for the support 
 of the gospel should be apjilied. The Congregational Socie- 
 ty claiming that the testator intended his bequest should 
 belong to them. A lawsuit ensued, but the Congregational 
 society was beaten and since that time every tax payer 
 signifies his will yearly where he will have the portion wliich 
 fails to him paid in. Mr. Turner remained here until dis- 
 missed May 1, 1823 — four months more than five years. 
 He is said to have been a man of a good deal of resolution, 
 of good talents and prepossessing personal appearance, but 
 there were many things in his conduct which men cannot 
 approve of in a Christian minister. The most serious fault 
 charged upon him was intemperance, and this doubtless was 
 the means of leading him into other de^dations from that 
 sobriety which is properly expected of a minister of the 
 gospel. It is said that he reformed after he left Kingston 
 and died in a town near Boston, Ms. It was during his 
 pastorate, that the Methodists gained a foothold in Kings- 
 ton. 
 
 Between 1818 and 1823, a combination of all sorts of 
 people built an Academy, expecting by this means, to do 
 something to weaken orthodoxy. But it has served a differ- 
 ent and far better purpose, that of advancing the cause of 
 education in Kingston and vicinity. Quite a number of 
 young men have here enjoyed valuable opportunities. Some 
 have thus fitted for college who would not otherwise have 
 
KINGSTON. 87 
 
 done so, and are now Congregational clcrg5ancn, instruc- 
 tors in colleges, academies, and schools of dill'erent kinds, and 
 men of business. 
 
 Mr. Ora Pearson was ordained March 7, 1827. In the 
 revival of 1831-2 the church in Kingston shared. Admis- 
 sions in 1827, three, one by letter ; in 1828, seven ; in 1829, 
 two, one by letter ; in 1830, two, one by letter ; in 1831, 
 eighteen ; in 1832 to July \,foHy-tliree. He was dismissed 
 by a council Jan. 9, 1834 but supplied the pulpit till March, 
 thus completing a ministry in Kingston of seven years. He 
 is now living in Vermont, but has been for a long time blind 
 or nearly so. After him Rev. Andrew Govan preached here 
 two years. 
 
 Mr. Josiah L. Case was ordained Oct. 17, 1839 and died 
 Nov. 15, aged 31 years. He preached but one Sabbath after 
 his ordination ; a day or two after this Sabbath he was taken 
 ill of a fever which proved to be his last illness. The church 
 and community were much afBicted by this event. He had 
 been acquainted with Kingston people some months before 
 his ordination and won their respect and love. He was a 
 graduate of Union college and of Andover Theo. Seminary. 
 
 Mr. George W. Thompson was ordained April 29, 1840, 
 and dismissed August 29, 1843. There were four admis- 
 sions to the church during his ministry. Mr. Tlicimpson 
 resides in Stratham. After his dismission the church re- 
 mained without a 23astor nearly five years. For three years 
 Eev. Samuel Mason supplied the church. He afterwards 
 removed to Newburyport, Ms. where he died of consump- 
 tion. He was peace&l and happy in death. 
 
 Eev. John Smith was installed pastor of the church in 
 Kingston July 26, 1848, and dismissed Sept. 18, 1850. Af- 
 ter his dismission Eev. Charles Willey and others were em- 
 ployed. While Mr. Willey was at Kingston there was some 
 rehgious interest ; ten persons united with the church in the 
 year 1851. 
 
 In the month of July 1854, Mr. John H. Melbsh of An- 
 dover Theo. Seminary preached at Kingston two Sabbaths. 
 He went to Kingston from the Seminary, being invited by 
 the committee to supply the pulpit for an indehnite period. 
 In December the Church and Society voted unanimously to 
 extend a call to him to become their pastor. The commit- 
 tee gave him written notice of this in Jan. 1855, and he 
 was ordained Feb. 14, 1855. His salary is $600. The 
 number of persons now belonging to the church is sixty six. 
 The oldest member is a female, the widow of Dea. Sanborn, 
 aged 91. The oldest male member is Dea. Eobert Smith 
 
88 
 
 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 87 years of age. The external circumstances of the society 
 appear quite as good as they have been for many years. — 
 The society has a pleasant house of worship, a good organ 
 and owns a parsonage. Of the nine pastors who have pre- 
 ceded the present, five have died in office. Seven of the 
 nine were ordained at Kingston. Of tlie four who have 
 been dismissed, all, with the exception of Mr. Turner, left 
 their charge much against the wishes of the church and so- 
 ciety. Besides the Congregational and Methodist Meeting- 
 houses in the center, there is a Union Meeting-house in the 
 south part of the town four miles from the center. 
 
 KINGSTON EAST. 
 
 Incorporated in 1738, it had a popidation of only 442 in 
 1820 ; in 18.50, 532. A church of 14 members was gathered 
 here Nov. 14, li39, and Mr. Peter Coffin, born in Exeter in 
 1713 and a graduate of Harvard college in 1733 became the 
 minister of the people on the same day. He continued in 
 the pastoral office until 1772. Tradition says he was charg- 
 ed before the council that dismissed liim with driving his 
 horse too fast up hiU. One hundred and forty three were 
 added to the church during his labors. He died in Exeter 
 his native place. Seven members were here in the church 
 in 1813 but it has at length ceased to be ; yet, while various 
 influences have earnestly combined to produce this result, 
 they cannot give the people the blessings of a permanent 
 ministry of the truth. 
 
 LONDONDEREY.* 
 
 Presbyterian Church. 
 
 The church in Londonderry is one of the few Presbyterian 
 churches in New England. It is one of the ancient churches 
 of the State ; and its history, could it be properly written, 
 might furnish lessons of varied interest and instraction. But 
 it must be premised at the outset that the records are ex- 
 tremely deficient. The early records of the doings of Ses- 
 sion are now all lost, and those yet extant date back only to 
 1823. When the Church was organized, of how many mem- 
 
 * Sketch by Rev. T. G. Brainerd, late pastor. 
 
LONDONDERRY. , 89 
 
 bers composed, and when or by whom the first minister was 
 set over it, are points which have not been ascertained. 
 
 Tlie Parish records were begun Sept. 7th, 1736, more 
 than three }-ears before fhe act of incorporation was passed 
 l)y the General Assembly of the Province, constituting the 
 inhabitants and territory of that part of the town a body 
 poUtic under the name of " the West Parish of Londonder- 
 ry." This charter gave power to levy taxes for the support 
 of schools and the gospel, upon all taxable persons and prop- 
 erty ; and conferred on all who were entitled to vote in town 
 affairs the right to vote in parish meetings. This is the 
 present charter, though the power of taxation has been 
 wholly taken away, while that of vesting remains in full force. 
 This act bears date Feb. 25th, 1739-40. 
 
 The act of incorporation by the Legislature could not 
 constitute the church, though it imparted a legal existence 
 to the reUgious society previously formed. This society 
 originated in a voluntary association of certain persons living 
 in the westerly part of the township, eleven years after the 
 first settlement in the easterly part, and appears to have 
 been strenuously opposed both at home and in the General 
 Court. Their language is, " Yet, notwithstanding the great 
 opposition and discouragements that they meet with, jiro- 
 ceed to act and do what they thought was necessaiy, incum- 
 bent, and their duty, to promote the gospel among them liy 
 making choice of the Rev. Mr. Da\ad McGregore to be their 
 minister ; who by ^'irtue of a call from that socictij of -people 
 that adhered to him was ordained the second Tuesday in 
 October following." The records show that the "caU" to 
 Mr. McGregore was first made out March 14th, 1733 ; that 
 liis ordination took place the second Tuesda)^ i)ii Oct. 1736, 
 and that the Charter was granted Feb. 25th, 1739-40. 
 
 In consequence of a disagreement in regard to the location 
 of the Meeting-house, a division early sf)rung up among the 
 inhabitants of the West Parish ; and in consequence of a 
 settled dislike toward their minister, the Eev. Mr. Da\'idson, 
 and a strong attachment to the Rev. Mr. McGregore, the 
 son of their firstjiastor, a division arose in the East Parish. 
 In the act of incorporation therefore a pro\'iso was inserted 
 " that 40 famihes in each parish might have i)ermission to 
 belong to the other parish than the one in which they re- 
 sided." This liberty was improved, and the divisi(jn was 
 maintained tiU the death of most of the original parties. 
 
 Mr. McGregore died May 30th, 1777, and his funeral 
 charges were paid by the parish, after a pastorate of, above 
 7 
 
90 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 40 years. Attempts were made to settle a Mr, Jewett, and 
 also the Eev. Robert Annen, but without success. 
 
 At a parish meetino; March 4th, 1782, it was voted, " to 
 give a call to Mr. William Morrison to be their minister ; 
 and that his settlement shall be 800 silver dollars, or an 
 ecjual sum in gold, to be paid 400 dollars in three months 
 after his ordination, and 400 dollars in twelve months after 
 that time ; and that £90 in the same specie be paid yearly 
 as a salary for his ministerial services." A committee was 
 appointed, and |40 appropriated to provide for Presbytery 
 at the ordination. Also, a committee was a2ipointed " to 
 fix the Meeting-house and a committee to keep order, the 
 time of the ordination, that it may be carried on with de- 
 cency." For some five years the parish had been without a 
 minister. But this period was one of great commotion and 
 of pecuniary embarrassment. It was during the hard strug- 
 gle for our country's independence. The deranged state of 
 the currency is evinced by the fact that at the annual parish 
 meetings in 1780 and 1781, it was "voted that £6000 be 
 raised to meet the yearly expenses of the iiarisli." Dr. 
 Morrison was ordained Feb. 12th, 1783, and died March 9, 
 1818, after a pastorate of about thirty five years. At a 
 parish meeting March .30th, 1818, $70 were voted to defray 
 his funeral expenses ; $ 75 to purchase tombstones ; and 400 
 copies of the sermon preached at his funeral \)j the Kev. Dr. 
 Dana to be printed for tlie parish. 
 
 Rev. Daniel Dana, D. D., President elect of Dartmouth 
 college, was installed pastor of the church Jan. 16th, 1822, 
 and had been jire^-iously settled at ]Srewbur}'].iort, Ms. At 
 Ms own request he was dismissed in April, 1826, after a 
 pastorate of a little more than four years. 
 
 Mr. Amasa A. Hayes was ordained as pastor here June 
 25th, 1827, and died Oct. 25th, 1830, after a ministry of but 
 little more than two years. Mr. John R. Adams was or- 
 dained Oct. 5th, 1831. After failing to obtain, at his re- 
 quest of the Presbytery in April, a dissolution of the pastoral 
 connection, he left abruptly Aug. 10th, 1838, and was regu- 
 larly dismissed by Presbytery in Oct. fo^pwing. His pas- 
 torate was not (juite seven years in duration. 
 
 At a special meeting Sept. 8th, 1840, a call was voted to 
 Mr. Timothy G-. Brainerd. He accepted and was ordained 
 Nov, 5tli, 1840. After a ministry of nearly fifteen years he 
 was at his own request dismissed April 26th, 1855', to take 
 charge of one of the early Pilgrim churches in Massachusetts. 
 
 The early settlers of Londonderry were men of a decidedly 
 rehgious character; and came from or near Londonderry, 
 
LONDONDERRY. 91 
 
 Province of Ulster in the north of Ireland. They were 
 Scotch Irish, staunch Protestants ; and who either them- 
 selves or their fathers, had suffered at the memorable siege 
 of Londonderry in defence of civil and religious liberty. 
 Next to the Pilgrims tliis Scotch Irish stock is perhaps the 
 best which has emigrated to the New World. For wherever 
 they have planted themselves in our country, or in any of 
 the British possessions the world over, they have carried 
 ■with, them and established the institutii >ns of learning and 
 religion. They were Presbyterians, and their descendants 
 have for several generations retained that firm of church 
 government. In faith they symbolized with the Kirk of 
 Scotland; and the Assembly's Larger and Shorter Cate- 
 chisms were diligently taught both in the family and the 
 parocliial school. And there were those who coidd repeat 
 accurately, not only the Shorter, but tlie whole of the Larger 
 Catechism with all the proof-texts. When dejnived of theii- 
 pastor by death, in 1777, that dark and troulilous period of 
 our nation's liistory, and in which eveutfid struggle they 
 bore a noble part, they sent even to Nova Scotia to procure 
 another religious teacher. When Morrison was ordained in 
 1783, they gave him as a settlement the generous donation 
 of eight hundred dollars in silver or its equivalent in gold, 
 worth more than three times that sum now. This liberal, 
 whole-soul spirit their sons may well emulate. 
 
 Since the decease of Dr. Morrison in 1818, four pastors 
 have been settled. One of these after a brief ministry died, 
 and the other three, all of whom are now living, resigned 
 their charge and were settled elsewhere. Till the time of 
 Dr. Morrison all persons who resided within the limits of thc' 
 parish were accounted members of the Presbyterian Society. 
 But before his death some disaffection sprung up, a Baptist 
 church and society were formed, and a house of worship was 
 subsequently built by them in the northwest part of the 
 town. It was during Dr. Dana's ministry that the tem- 
 perance movement began. His spirit was grieved by the 
 customs and habits oi the people in respect to the use of 
 intoxicating drinks. He saw great need of reform, and 
 labored hard to effect one. A few facts and anecdotes may 
 here be admissible. On the day of Dr. Dana's instaUatiou, 
 at a store near by the church, the keeper of it says a 
 hogshead of rum was sold and drank. In one part of the / 
 house in which Dr. Dana resided was a tavern, where spirit , 
 was sold and drank on the Sabbath by members of the , 
 church. This was a common practice, nor was it then con- 
 sidered disreputable. Indeed one is said to have remarked. 
 
92 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 / 
 
 / "I do not see kow I can worship God acceptably when I 
 feel so very thirsty." On a Sabbath preceding a State Fast, 
 Dr. Dana urged his hearers to give him a full house on 
 that occasion, as he had for them a special message from the 
 Lord. Fast day came, and the house was very well filled to 
 listen to the message. It was a plain searching discourse 
 on Temperance. A member of the church who was known 
 ■ at times to be the worse for strong drink was seen to rise 
 and stand up, as was then sometimes practiced by persons 
 when they felt sleepy. But he was observed by a neighbor 
 to be wiping, fii'st with one hand and then with the other, 
 great drops'" of perspiration from his face. That neighbor 
 saw him a few days afterwards, and inquired how he liked 
 Dr. Dana's Fast day discourse. The reply showed the 
 strongest opposition to the instructions of the pastor. An- 
 other member of the church said, " Dr. Dana may preach to 
 empty seats and naked walls " (as he complained he had to) 
 "for all my troiuo- to hear sich doctrine." On one occasion 
 tliis same man was lound on the road sittmg m his wagon 
 from which his horse was detached and gone ; and when 
 asked how he was getting along, answered, "Jist jogging 
 along slotdij." Though much opposition and disafiection 
 were excited by his decided treatment of this hydra-headed 
 evil, yet great and permanent good was the final result of 
 liis efforts. These facts are not set down as showing pecu- 
 liar depravity in this people. Many churches and pastors 
 
 ^^ liad similar trials. 
 
 It is believed that the names of the church memhers were 
 never reduced to writing and recorded till some time in Dr. 
 Dana's ministry. Nor are there any known records of infant 
 haptis7ns earlier than the same period. While Mr. Adams 
 was the minister — near the close of his stay — a new house of 
 worshij) was erected on a new site about a mile further west- 
 ward than the old one. This change of location was unsat- 
 isfactory to many ; and more than forty members withdrew 
 and fomied the Congregational church and society in Derry 
 lower \ullage. During the latter part of Mr. Brainerd's 
 ministry the Baptist church and society had become feeble 
 and inactive ; and a Methodist church and society were 
 organized. In the early part of his ministry and several 
 times previous, it is understood that a Methodist church was 
 formed. How many men have been furnished for the minis- 
 try cannot be stated with certainty. But cjuitc a number ; 
 and there are now living and in active service five or six. 
 By deed of gift and by legacy a fund of more than nine 
 thousand dollars was given to the parish by Major John 
 
to 
 
 LONDONDERRY. 93 
 
 Pinkerton, an elder of this church, who gave a Hke sum to 
 the East j^arish, and also endowed Pinkerton Academy. 
 There are no records to show the early contriljutions of the 
 people to the cause of benevolence. For the last fifteen 
 years, the average annual collections for all charitable relig- 
 ious purposes will equal about three hundred dollars. 
 
 With what revivals of religion this church has been blest 
 cannot now be weU ascertained. Tradition says that there 
 was an interesting work of grace under the first pastor. 
 Certain it is that Mr. McGregore favored the " Great Awa- 
 kening" — as the time of ]irecious spiritual refreshing is 
 called that passed over New England in the early part of his 
 ministry. His ministry no doubt gave a truly evangelical 
 character to the church, and imparted to her distinguishing- 
 doctrines of grace a vital power, the savor of which even 
 " the half way covenant" did not destroy. Under Dr. Mor- 
 rison the church received accessions, but it is not known 
 that it was blest 'with any season of special religious atten- 
 tion. In the controversy of Dartmouth college and the State 
 he took part with the latter, and received his honorary de- 
 gree of Doctor in Divinity from the university and not from 
 the college. He preached an " Election Sermon," and the 
 funeral sermon of Major John Pinkerton, both of which, it is 
 beheved, were published. The Session records of his minis- 
 try and his predecessors were lent to a gentleman in Stone- 
 ham, Ms., and are supposed to be irrecoverably lost. The 
 late venerable Dr. Woods thus spoke of him : "He was a 
 warm-hearted evangelical Scotchman." Dr. Dana's ministry 
 so far as pertains to an increase of the church was compara- 
 tively a barren one — only six were added by profession, and 
 one by letter. But he did a noble work here in breaking 
 up fallow ground. In Mr. Hayes' short pastorate nine were 
 added by profession, and four hj letter. While Mr. Adams 
 labored here, several showers of divine mercy seem to have 
 descended. At one time 36, at another 15, and in all 126 
 were received on profession, and 32 by letter. During Mr. 
 Brainerd's pastorate there was one extensive and powerful 
 eifusion of the Holy Spirit on this field. Many souls then 
 gave good evidence of ha^^ng jjassed from death unto life, 
 and became new creatures in Christ Jesus. In the course 
 of his ministiy, about 100 adults and children received the 
 ordinance of baptism, about 70 were admitted to the church 
 on profession, and 25 by letter. The church now numbers 
 173, and has paid a salary of $600. 
 
 Some peculiar usages prevailed in this church, or at least 
 usages rarely to be found in Congregational churches. One 
 
94 
 
 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 of these was congregational singing. It was the privilege of 
 every one to sing, whether he possessed any voice or ear for 
 music, or could distinguish one tune from another or not. 
 Every one might make "a joyful noise unto the Lord." It 
 is said there was one man in the assembly, of Herculean form 
 and stentorian lungs and voice, who used to sing aloud unto 
 the Lord, the songs of Zion in the house of the Lord, but 
 who always ground out all metres in one tune. The regula- 
 tion of the srrbject of singing was a difficult matter, and 
 often came up and was acted on as a part of the authorized 
 business of parish meetings. Much trouble was experienced 
 after choir singing was introduced, in pro\'iding stats for the 
 singers. It had been a custom from earliest days to "deacon 
 the hymn," that is, the precentor read two lines and then all 
 sung them, and so to the end. As late as 1802, there was an 
 article in the Parish Warrant, " To see if the Parish wiU 
 agree to have the singing carried on in future without read- 
 ing the line." It was referred to the minister and session 
 to decide. Tradition says the matter was disclosed of as fol- 
 lows : On a certain Sabbath the worthy precentor occupied 
 his accustomed seat under the pulpit and endeavored to 
 maintain his ancient rights ; but the choir in despite of all 
 his efforts sang right over him, sang him down, carried the 
 day triumphantly and so remained masters of the field. The 
 Lord's Supper was celebrated but twice in the year — Sj)ring 
 and Autumn — and it was then kept with almost the solemn- 
 ities of the Jewish Passover. AU secular labor was laid 
 aside by all the inhabitants, and it was a time of holy con- 
 vocation. Besides the Sabbath, all day Thursday, Saturday 
 afternoon and Monday forenoon were spent in pjublic relig- 
 ious services and as strictly observed as holy time. On such 
 occasions several ministers were usually present to aid the 
 pastor in his arduous labors. Previous to the Sabbath it 
 was the usual custom to give out the " Tokens," with one of 
 which every communicant was required to be furnished. 
 These were small pieces of lead of an oblong shape, and 
 marked "ndth the letters L. 1). On the Sabbath — the great 
 day of the feast — tables stretching the whole length of the 
 aisles were spread, at which the communicants sat arrd re- 
 ceived the consecrated elements. The tables were "fenced," 
 wliich was a prohibition and exclusion of any from commu- 
 nicating who had not a " Token." It was in the power of 
 the Elders who had the distribution of the Tokens to with- 
 hold one from any professor whose life had been irregular or 
 scandalous. Unleavened bread, prepared in thin cakes of an 
 oval form has always been used in this ordinance. The 
 
NEW CASTLE. 95 
 
 gmng out of the Tokens aud the Halfway Covenant, though 
 now dispensed with, were Loth continued into Dr. Dana's 
 ministry. Several tables were served during the administra- 
 tion of the Supper and by diiferent ministers ; and for some 
 of the more aged members of the clmreh tables were spread 
 in Mr. Adams' day. The services of these occasions were 
 often protracted till near the going down of the sun, nor i 
 were they deemed a loeariness. Among the early settlers, ' 
 not only at these interesting seasons, but on ordinary days, i 
 it was no uncommon thing for women to walk six or eight / 
 miles, and sometimes carry an infant child, that they might ) 
 worship the Lord in his own house and among his people. 
 
 NEW CASTLE. 
 
 Rev. Lucics Alden. 
 
 New Castle is situated on an Island at the mouth of the 
 Piscataqua River and at the entrance of Portsmouth harbor 
 from which city it is about three miles distant. Its popu- 
 lation is 891. Rye, Greenland, Newington, and Portsmouth, 
 with it, originally, constituted one town, and here in 1623 
 was commenced the first settlement in New Hampshire. 
 The leading object of the earliest emigrants appears to have 
 been the acc|uisition of wealth, by means of trade and the 
 fisheries, and hence, ]ierhaps, their remissness in establishing 
 the institutions of religion. The first church in this settle- 
 ment was organized 'in the year 1671, and Rev. Joshua 
 Moody ordained pastor. In 1693, agreeably to the petition 
 of the inhabitants. New Castle was made a townshi]) by itself 
 and a charter granted under the royal seal of William and 
 Mary, which is still preserved in the archives of the town, in 
 the old Enghsh black letter, fairly engrossed on parchment. 
 In consequence of the loss of the records, the precise date 
 of the organization of the church here cannot be ascertained, 
 but as early as the year 1706 a Meeting-house was taken 
 do^vn and another erected in the usual style of that period, 
 but finished with somewhat more than ordinary elegance. 
 It was furnished with a bell of a fine tone sent over from 
 England, decorated with a beautiful altar-piece, and supplied 
 with silver communion service, to wliich was added a splen- 
 ded silver cup, the bequest of Mrs. Jane Turell, sisterof 
 Sir Wm. Pepperell, Baronet. The pulpit was furnished with 
 a large foho Bible, with illuminated letters, printed at the 
 University of Oxford, the bequest of Madam Mary Prescott. 
 
96 ROCKINGHAM COTFNTT. 
 
 The following is a list of the pastors, who officiated in this 
 ancient church, viz : 
 
 1st. Rev. John Emerson, a native of Gloucester, Ms., son 
 of Rev. John Emerson, senior, and grandson of Thomas 
 Emerson of Ipswich — born 1670 and graduated at Harvard 
 1689. The same year, June 27th, ' ' He providentially escaped 
 -ivith his life, by decHning, though strongly urged, to lodge 
 at the house of Major Waldron, ni Dover, on the fatal night 
 when the Indians wreaked their vengeance on the unsuspec- 
 ting inhabitants of that place." He was the minister of 
 Manchester, Ms., from 1695 to 1698. On the 24th of May, 
 1703, he was invited to settle in the ministry here, and soon 
 after was ordained by Rev. Messrs. Cotton, Pike and Clark. 
 His wife was Mary, daughter of Edmund Barter, of Salem, 
 Ms. In 1708 he visited England, spent some time in Lon- 
 don, and "was handsomely noticed by Queen Anne," who 
 was then on the British throne. In 1712 he was dismissed, 
 and March 23, 1715 was installed the first pastor of the South 
 Church in Portsmouth. During liis ministry 124 were receiv- 
 ed into the church, 40 of whom soon after "the great earth- 
 quake" Oct. 29, 1727, which he ever after noticed by an 
 annual sermon adapted to the occasion. He died Jan. 21st, 
 1732, aged 62. He is said to have been "an agreeable 
 companion and a faithful preacher of the gospel." 
 
 2d. Rev. Wm. Shurtleff, a native of Plymouth, Ms., born 
 1689, son of Wm. Shurtleff, who finally settled in Carver, 
 Ms., and grandson of Wm. Shurtleff, of Marshfield, who in 
 a terrific tempest 1666 was instantly killed by lightning, 
 while a child in his arms, and two others leaning on him, 
 escaped unhurt. Rev. Mr. Shurtleff was graduated at 
 Harvard, 1707, and settled in New Castle, 1712. He died 
 May 9th, 1747, aged 58. His remains rest beneath the Old 
 South Church, in Portsmouth. One of his successors thus 
 testifies concerning him : "His name will long be mentioned 
 with respect, for his uncommon meekness and patience under 
 great trials, and for distinguished piety as well as pastoral 
 fidelity." Several of his sermons were published and are 
 now extant — also a communication from Inm, published in 
 " the Christian History," 1743. 
 
 3d. Rev. John Blunt, a native of Andover, Ms., born 1706, 
 and graduated at Harvard 1727. He was ordained Dec. 20, 
 1732, and died Aug. 7th, 1748, aged 42. He appears to 
 have been higlrly approved as a preacher of the gospel, and 
 quite successful in the ministry at New Castle. A communi- 
 cation from him was published in "the Christian History," 
 1743. He is also respectfully referred to in the same peri- 
 
NEW CASTLE. 97 
 
 odical, by Eev. Mr. ShurtlefF. His wife was a daughter of 
 Hon. Joim Frost. His descendants are numerous and re- 
 spectable. Thej^ reside in Portsmoirtli, in New York and 
 other places. After the decease of Eev. Mr. Blunt, the par- 
 ish, by their vote, appropiriated 200 pounds, old tenor, to 
 defray the expenses of liis funeral, and continued his salary 
 several months, for the use of his widow. 
 
 4th. Rev. David Eobinson, a native of Stratham, born 
 1716, graduated at Harvard 1738, was ordained at New Cas- 
 tle Nov. 30th, 1748. The parish voted to give him as a sal- 
 ary, " One hundred and forty ounces of silver, at 20 shillings 
 per ounce, to be paid in Bills of Public Credit — the use of 
 the whole Parsonage, as Dwelling House, Gardens, Barns, 
 Pastures, Meadows and whatsoever hath been given to the 
 Ministry, or set apart for the Minister's use in this Parish, 
 also the contributions of strangers on the Sabbath days." 
 His ministry was veiy brief : in less than one year he de- 
 ceased, Nov" 18th, 1749, aged 33. 
 
 5th. Rev. Stephen Chase, a native of Newbury, Ms., born 
 Oct. 26, 1705, graduated at Harvard 1728, ordained at Lynn- 
 field, Ms., 1731, installed in New Castle Dec. 5th, 1756, and 
 died Jan. 1778, aged 72. His posterity is found among the 
 most influential citizens of this and other States. 
 
 6th. Rev. Oliver Noble, a native of Coventry, Conn., born 
 1736, graduated at Yale college 1757, ordained at Newbury, 
 Ms., 1762, installed in New Castle, Aug. 18th, 1784, and died 
 Dec. 15th, 1792, aged 56. The monument, erected 1852, 
 to the memory of these truly reverend and worthy men, be- 
 neath their honored names, bears the simple, but appropriate 
 inscription : — 
 
 " The Memory of the Just is blessed." 
 
 During the ministry of Rev. Mr. Blunt, there was an in- 
 teresting revival of religion, of which, he thus writes under 
 date of July 26th 1743 : " The parish, I am settled in, is 
 small ; but God has, as I hope, by the influences of his gra- 
 cious spirit, made his word and ordinances efi'ectual to the 
 convincing and converting a considerable number among us. 
 The awakening, in months past, was almost universal. Fear 
 seemed to fall on every soul, and the great inquiry was, ' what 
 shall I do to be saved.' And although I have reason to 
 fear the impressions are, in a great measure, worn off from 
 some, yet the lasting good effects on many, I think, are very 
 considerable, and for which I wish to adore the rich and free 
 grace of God. Fifty have been added to our communion in 
 about the space of two years. Most of them appear to have 
 their conversation as becometh the gospel. Some of those, 
 
98 
 
 EOCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 who were professors before this remarkable day of God's vis- 
 itation, have been of late much quickened and enlivened ; 
 and others being convinced of their formality in times past, 
 declare how they have felt the power of God's grace upon 
 their souls. My heart's desire and prayer is that God would 
 still more abundantly pour out his spirit upon his people and 
 his blessing on their offspring ; and that all, who love our 
 Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, may have their hearts united 
 and their hands strengthened to promote that religion which 
 is pure and undefiled before God and the Father." 
 
 From 1778 to 1784 the church was destitute of a pastor. 
 This being the period of the American Kevolution, great 
 was the anxiety and pecuniary embarrassment of the people 
 here. A British ship of war lying near, threatened to re- 
 duce the place to ashes as it had other maritime towns. — 
 Many removed from the place, while those who remained 
 observed frequent seasons of fasting and prayer. After the 
 decease of Rev. Mr. Noble, who was the last of the settled 
 pastors here, there being no regular ministry and only occa- 
 sional ])reaching, the church and society greatly declined. — 
 There is no record of the admission of a member for a period 
 of more than 25 years. On the 5th of Nov. 1821, by invi- 
 tation, several ministers of the vicinity assembled here, when 
 live persons were admitted to the church, three by profession 
 and two by letter, previous to which it was reduced to a 
 single member — Mrs. Mehitable White, widow of Gapt. Rob- 
 ert Wliite. She died Sept. 13th, 1827, aged 76, and, as tes- 
 tified by those who were with her in her dying hours, " in the 
 triumphs of faith." In the year 1828, the ancient Meeting- 
 house was taken down, and the present place of worship 
 erected, but it remained unfinished till 1836, when, having 
 been completed, it was dedicated and a discourse delivered 
 by Rev. A. P. Peabody, D. D. of the South church in Ports- 
 mouth. The pulpit was supplied awhile by Rev. Messrs. 
 Norris, Plumer and others. In 1839, Rev. James Hobart 
 of Berlin Vt. was employed under the patronage of the N. H. 
 Missionary Society, and during liis nunistry of two years 
 a revival of some extent was enjoyed, and additions were 
 made to the church. He was succeeded in 1841 by Rev. 
 J. P. Tyler, who deceased Dec. 26th, 1844, at North Bridge- 
 water, Ms. He was a native of Griswold, Conn,, graduated 
 at Brown university 1823, and pursued his theological stud- 
 ies at Andover. His labors were blessed to the conversion of 
 some souls and several were added to the church. For his 
 unassuming piety, the gentleness of his spirit and his fideh- 
 ty as a minister of Christ, he, with "the righteous, shall be 
 in everlasting remembrance." 
 
NEW CASTLE. 99 
 
 The Eev. J. Ward began to preach licre in Dee, 1844 and 
 continued till April 1846, when he was succeeded Ly Rev. 
 L. Alden, the present minister. The churclr at the present 
 time thougli small, consisting of 34 members, is larger tlmn 
 at any time during the past half century. The congregation 
 has gradually increased in numbers, though very fluctuating, 
 as is usual in a seafaring community, many of the men and 
 youth being absent at sea a considerable part of the time. 
 The Sabbath School, which was first established here in 
 1819, by Rev, William Goodell, now a Missionary at Con- 
 stantinople, according to the last annual Report, comprises 
 159 pupils and 19 teachers, with a Lilirary of 400 volumes. 
 Of the former ]iastors, none was a native of New Castle, 
 and but one of New Hampshire. Nor is it known tliat more 
 than two persons have, at any time entered the ministry, 
 who were natives of this town. Rev. Jose}ih Walton was 
 born in this town May 27th, 1742. Early left an orphan, 
 he enjoyed only the ordinary means of education, but these 
 he diligently and successfully improved — " from his youth 
 reading serious and instructive books and especially the sa- 
 cred Scriptures." In early life he united with tlie church 
 under the pastoral care of Rev. Samuel Langdon, D. D. in 
 Portsmouth. After a ^^eriod of three years, he became a 
 member of the third, or Independent Congregational Church, 
 of which Rev, Samuel Drown was pastor. In the 3'ear 1777, 
 he was elected a ruling elder, and in 1789 was inducted into 
 the office of pastor by the church, without a council or otlier 
 assistance. Adams, in his annals of Portsmouth, says, " He 
 was greatly beloved by his j^eople and highly respected by 
 ministers and christians of other denominations in the town." 
 With fidelity and success, he discharged the sacred duties 
 of his office, till a short time before his death, which < iceurred 
 at the advanced age of four score years, Jan. lOtli, 1822. — 
 Eev. Benjamin Randall, "Founder of the Free Will Bap- 
 tist Society in America," was also born in this town, in 1749. 
 In youth he acquired a decent mercantile education, and 
 was emplijyed in the occupation of a sail maker. From 
 childhood his mind was peculiarly susceptible of religious 
 impressions, Ijut became more deeply interested in the sub- 
 ject of religion under the itinerant and ministerial laljors of 
 Rev. George AVhitefield. In 1772 he united with the Con- 
 gregational church in New Castle. In 1775, having em- 
 braced the principles of the "General Baptists," he was bap- 
 tized by immersion at Madbury, and was ordained as an 
 Evangelist at New Durham April 5th, 1780, and there organ- 
 ized a church of the Free Will Baptists— the first ever 
 established. He died Oct. 22d, 1808, aged 59 years. 
 
100 EOCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 NEWINGTON. 
 
 This town was once included in Portsmoutli and Dover- 
 was settled early. In July 1764 it was incorporated. But 
 tlie ministry was here estahlished long, long before this time. 
 In 1715, NoV.6', Joseph Adams was ordained. He was horn in 
 Braintree, Ms. Jan. 1, 1689, and received the honors of Har- 
 vard in 1710. He retained the pastoral office until January 
 1783, when, at the remarkable age of ninety three or four 
 years, and having been pastor sixty eight years, he was re- 
 leased from his responsibility and went to his reward on the 
 26th day of May thereafter. No other pastorate in the State 
 before that time exceeded this, and only the venerable father 
 Ainsworth's which is now in its seventy third year, since that 
 time. But the latter has had a colleague for many years, 
 while, as Farmer and Moore have it, Mr. Adams was settled 
 over the town after having been a pastor of the church for 
 iifty nine years and continued eight years and a half in 
 office. 
 
 He was followed by Joseph Langdon who was ordained 
 Jan. 9, 1785, and dismissed March 1810 — a pastorate of 
 twenty five years. He was born at Portsmouth in 1758, a 
 graduate at Dartmouth in 1783, and deceased July 29th, 
 1824. At his settlement the church comprised twenty six 
 members. After his dismission and removal to Portsmouth, 
 he still manifested an interest in the people and often preach- 
 ed to them. In 1826 Kev. I. W. Putnam administered the 
 communion to a company of believers there which consisted 
 of two aged females, members of the church, and twenty 
 members of other churclies. Some short missions have been 
 performed there since that time. The population is less than 
 it was a few years ago. 
 
 NEW MAPvKET. 
 
 Rev. E. C. Cogswell. 
 
 This church is situated in a manufixcturing ^dllage upon 
 Lamprey river, midway between Exeter and Dover. Prior 
 to 1827 the village was inconsiderable in size, and the inhab- 
 itants were to a great extent regardless of divine institutions. 
 There had been formed a small Methodist society with occa- 
 sional worship ; and for a short time there had been Congre- 
 gational preaching. Besides these, there were no other 
 
NEW MARKET. 101 
 
 means of grace here enjoyed. In 1827 tlirongh the generos- 
 ity of Mr, Walter Smith and a few others, a hall was fitted 
 up for religious worship, and Mr. David Sanford, tlu'n a 
 student of theology at Andover, was invited to preach, who, 
 turning aside from a previously arranged course, entered 
 upon his labors here, in the fixce of olistacles which would 
 have seemed insurmountahle to almost any other man. His 
 labors were soon blessed with a hapjiy rc^^val wliich resulted 
 in many conversions. 
 
 A church was organized March 27, 1828, consisting of 
 two males, who had come from churches in other towns for 
 the pur2)C)SC. and fsixteen females, the husljand of one C)f wdiom 
 was so much affected at witnessing tlie solemn services of 
 that occasion that he was thereby led to Christ, and not 
 long after was admitted to the church and elected one of its 
 officers ; and, though he sxibsec[uently removed from the 
 town, he has lived to do much good in other portions of the 
 ■\T.neyard of the Lord. In June following its organization, 
 ninetee?! were received to the church as fi'uits of the re^'ival 
 above alluded to. Among them was a young woman whose 
 parents resided in Massachusetts. Just as a revival was 
 commencing in her native town, to the great grief of her 
 godly mother, she jiersisted in going to New Market, hoping 
 to get jid of restraints and the conAactions of conscience in 
 so godless a jdace as that was then kn(iwn to be. But 
 among the very first who came to the man of God to inquire 
 what they sliould do to Ije saved, was that daughter. She 
 became a tropliy of divine grace and has ever since lived to 
 adorn her Christian profession. At short intervals, during 
 the whole of Mr. Sanford's ministry here, additions were 
 made to the church, to the number of sij.ii/ -five. At Mr. 
 Sanford's coming there was no house of worship erected, the 
 need of whicli was soon felt. After great struggles and self- 
 denials, and with a zeal becoming the oliject, means were 
 secured which seemed to justify the undertaking, and a 
 house was erected and consecrated, though a debt was con- 
 tracted which proved the occasion of lasting embarrassment. 
 Mr. Sanford, who was ordained May 22, 1828, exhausted by 
 excessive labors and intense anxiety for his congregation, 
 and embarrassed by liabilities under which he had Ijrought 
 himself in the erection of the house of worship, was dismissed 
 June 22, 1830, to the great grief and lasting injury of the 
 church and society. It would seem that could a little more 
 effort have been made by the people, and a httle more aid 
 been rendered by other churches at this crisis, the protracted 
 embarrassment and feebleness of the church might have been 
 
102 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 avoided, and tlirough tlie continued labors and Christian 
 influence of such a man as Mr. Sanford the church would 
 have been firiidy established in prosperity. Mr. Sanford 
 removed to Dorchester, jMs., whither he had Ijcen invited 
 prior to leaving New Market ; subsequently he was called 
 to the church in Medway where he still labors with an aifec- 
 tii^aiate i)eo]")le. 
 
 Mr. 0. Tinker was ordained pastor of this church Dec. 8, 
 1830, having been invited here soon after the dismission of 
 Mr. Sanford. He Avas also dismissed Oct. 29, 1833, and 
 removed to Ashby, Ms., to which place he had been invited, 
 and where, a few years afterwards, he died. During his 
 ministry of about three years forty-ciglit were added to the 
 church ; but owing to circumstances over which he had no 
 control, his ministry here was not so comfortable as could 
 have been desired. In speaking of him, the Rev. Mr. Blod- 
 gett, his successor, remarks : — "My acquaintance with him 
 was quite limited. I learned to esteem him as a sincere, 
 pure-minded, devout man — not Ijrilliant ; but solid, with 
 too little of versatility of mind and ease of adaptation to the 
 over shifting phases of such a people to enable him to labor 
 with comf(.n-t to himself and the highest acceptance to others. 
 His moral, Christian and ministerial character was without 
 reproach, and his influence, as far as it reached, was genial 
 and savdry. He spent the night with us, but a few weeks 
 before his death, and seemed calm, serious and affectionate, 
 though not very hopeful of the future. My remembrances 
 of his last visit are very })leasant and grateful." These 
 views are in harmony with those expressed by the council 
 tliat dismissed liim, and l)y the people that here remember 
 him. 
 
 About the time of Mr. Tinker's dismission, the Rev, Con- 
 stantine Blodgett, who had been teaching and preacliing 
 in Savannah, Ga., left on account of his wife's health, 
 intending to go West. He visited New Market to see liis 
 brother, Dr. P. D. Blodgett, with no idea of remaining more 
 than a few days ; but as Mr. Tinker was just leaving, he was 
 prevailed upon to supply the puljiit for a time, and give to 
 iiis brother the care of his invalid wife. Her health improved 
 and he continued to supply until Dec. 2, 1834, when he was 
 installed pastor. He was dismissed June 15, 1836. During 
 iiis ministry twenty five were added to the church, the soci- 
 ety was greatly strengthened, and the truth established. 
 The removal of Mr. Blodgett was a serious loss. The church 
 and society were strongly attached to him. Respecting his 
 labors here, Mr. Blodgett says, — " I enjoyed my labors 
 
NEW MARKET. 103 
 
 among the people, finding them affectionate, united and 
 indulgent toward their pastor and his family. Our recollec- 
 tions of the people are pleasant, and our affection for them 
 was found to be strong and fresh as for the first peojile over 
 whom we had been placed in the Lord." Mr. Blodgett 
 removed to Pawtucket, Ms., where he yet remains pastor of 
 a strong and united church. 
 
 Eev. J. Grmnison succeeded Mr. Blodgett, and was 
 installed Feb. 22, 1837, and dismissed Oct. 9, of the same 
 year. His stay was too short to make any decided impres- 
 sion. Unexpected pecuniary embarrassment of the society 
 was the cause assigned for his removal. Mr. Gunnison 
 removed to Brentwood and has since abandoned the ministry. 
 
 Soon after Mr. Gunnison's dismission, a very interesting 
 revival commenced. The members of the cliurch were 
 active and faitliful, and the good work progressed, thougli 
 they had only occasional ministerial aid. At length the 
 Rev. Mr. Hobart, knowm as "father Hcjljart," came to their 
 assistance and greatly refreshed them by his fervent piety 
 and judicious counsels, as well as by his faithful ex])ositions 
 of God's word. On the first Sabbath in March, 1838, twen- 
 ty seven were admitted to the church as li'uits of this revival, 
 among whom were some of the most substantial men ever 
 admitted to this church ; a part of whom yet remain the firm 
 friends of Christ ; some of the remainder have gune to heav- 
 en, and a few have fallen into a sleep from which there is no 
 sign of waking. The church seems to have been destitute 
 of regular ministerial supply f )r about a year after Mr. Gun- 
 nison's dismission, except during the few months in which 
 Mr. Hobart was with them. At this time the Rev. Mr. 
 Richmond was invited to supjdy, who continued aljout four 
 years. He is known to have labored with fidelity and una- 
 bated zeal. His labors extended through the first part of 
 that stormy period of the anti-slavery agitation, when wild 
 confusion reigned in many of our churches. In the midst of 
 this period, when the elements were lashed into fearful vio- 
 lence in this community, the Rev. S. S. N. Greeley of Gd- 
 manton Iron Works, received a call from this church, and 
 was installed Dec. 15, 1842. Mr. Greeley brought with him 
 the energj' and hopefulness of a young man, and as a preach- 
 er made his influence felt ; but owing to causes be}Tjnd his 
 control, his ministry was less peaceful than he could have 
 desired. He was dismissed Feb. 23, 1847. He is now pas- 
 tor of a church in Great Barrington where he labors -nuth a 
 worthy and affectionate people. Not long after Mr. Gree- 
 ley's dismission, the Rev. 0. Chamberlain was employed for 
 
104 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 one year. He left in the spring of 1848 and the church was 
 destitute of the stated ministrations of tlie gospel. The 
 congregation had become small, the church was scattered 
 and disheartened, and their house of worship dilapidated. 
 The debt contracted for the erection of their house remained 
 unpaid for many years and proved a source of trouble to pas- 
 tors and people, yet another was contracted at a later period 
 for repairing and nmldng alterations, which was hardly less 
 troublesome than the first. The changes in the pastoral 
 relations have Ijeen frequent, for, soon after the settlement 
 of eacli pastor not a few were disappointed because he did 
 not build up the society, so as to enable them to pay with 
 ease the debts which had long existed, though weights and 
 liindrances were multiplied on every hand. And the disap- 
 pointment and restlessness of a few indi^'iduals in a feeble 
 society are sufiicient to make a minister uncomfortable, and 
 sooner or later to secure his removal. This was emphatical- 
 ly true in this church. For in the period of twenty one 
 years from 1827, there had been five pastors the average of 
 whose pastorates was three years, five years of stated supply 
 and two years of destitution. It is no wonder that with 
 such changes, and with the withlmlding of special divine 
 influences the church and society had Ijccome feeble. 
 
 In the spring of 1848, the Rev. Elliott G. Cogswell of 
 Northwood was invited to settle as pastor of this church, or 
 if he declined, to remain with them at least one year. To 
 the latter proposition he acceded, and entered upon his labors 
 with an array of obstacles which it was frightful to contem- 
 plate. One obstacle after another yielded, the church rallied, 
 the society increased in energy, the house of worship was 
 repaired and improved, a valuable organ was purchased, and 
 the congregation gradually increased in numbers and influ- 
 ence, and ceased to ask aid of the Home Missionary Society 
 in 1852, though from the formation of the church it had 
 received annually not less than $150. Mr. Cogswell has 
 remained with his people now more than seven years, and 
 has f lund them affectionate and indulgent both to himself 
 and his family, and whatever separations may hereafter trans- 
 pire, he will not fiul to clierish them in the warmest affec- 
 tion and to pray for their prosperity. He has followed 
 many of his congregation to the grave ; he has received to 
 the church twenty two, and many have been dismissed to 
 other churches. This church was founded in prayer and 
 God has owned it as a vine of his planting. " This and that 
 man has been born in her, and the Highest himself shall 
 establish her." Not a few now filling spheres of usefulness 
 
NEWTON. 1.05 
 
 in other communities, have liere heoTi qualified for tliose 
 stations. One who became interested in the Sal)l)ath Rchool 
 and in the Savior during- Mr. Blodgett's ministry, is now a 
 suceesst'ul missionary in Oliina. Tliough the cluu'ch is now 
 small, numbering fortij members, an<l worshiping with a 
 congregation averaging one hundred avd fifty ; yet from its 
 past history we may infer that Clod will continue to own it. 
 Rev. Mr. Sanford remarks, "the Providences of God in rela- 
 tion to the church from its commencement, indicate two 
 things : — tirst, that it will live notwithstanding all its trials ; 
 secondly, it must have struggles. Such has been its whole 
 history ; such evidently mil be the future." The church is 
 greatly indebted to the fostering care of the Eev. Dr. French 
 of North Hampton and to those pastors and churches that 
 guarded it in its infancy and aided it in its struggles. May 
 the good Shepherd be to this church "as a hiding phicc from 
 the wind, and a covert from the tempest ; as rivers oi water 
 in a dry place ; as the shadow of a great nick in a weary 
 land." The Methodists have a numerous church and a large 
 congregation ; so have the Free Will Baptists. The cause 
 of temperance has been greatly successful and education 
 has been advanced and the community has made obvious 
 improvement not^ndthstanding tliere is so much to foster 
 discouragement. 
 
 NEWTOK 
 
 This town was incorporated Dec. 6, 1749 mider the name 
 of Neiotejum, — its name was changed to Newton in 1846. In 
 1720 Joseph Bartlett took up his residence here and was soon 
 surrounded with neighbors. Twelve yeaj-s before this time 
 he was taken ])risoner at Haverhill ami was in captivity fouj- 
 years among the Indians in Canada. 
 
 Rev. Jonathan Fames was settled here in 1759, Jan. 17. 
 He was a graduate of Harvard of the class of 1752. He 
 was dismissed in 1791. His was a nunistry of thirty two 
 years. His death occurred in 1800, at th(j age of sixt}' nine 
 years. No Congregational chui-ch has existed here for a 
 long period. A Baptist and a Christian minister is tbimd 
 here. Here was formed the first Baptist church that ever 
 existed in the State. It still lives. Rev. Walter Powers 
 was settled here when the church was oi'ganized, 1755. He 
 had a long ministry. In 1795 Rev. Jfihn Peak was settled 
 and remained until 1802. Rev. Da\dd Towksbury was ordained 
 8 
 
106 
 
 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 here in 1813, over the same chui'ch. An interesting meeting, 
 commemorative of the event of the organization of this first 
 church a century ago, was recently held here, and a discourse 
 appropriate, was preached by Eev. 0. Ayer of Claremont. 
 
 NOKTH HAMPTON. 
 
 Rev. J. Feekck, D.D— Rev. John Dinsmoke. 
 
 The early history of this town must be learned from that 
 of Hampton, of wliich it was formerly a part. In the course 
 of about a century from its settlement, four societies were 
 set off from tliat large town. The fourth was established 
 Nov. 17, 1738, and called, The North Hill Parish in Hamp- 
 ton. It was incorporated as a town Nov. 26, 1742, by the 
 name of North Hamjitou. Between the North Hill and a 
 hill not far from it at the south, are numerous springs whose 
 streamlets become a brook which, taking a west and a north- 
 west direction, and receiving supplies from various sources, 
 forms the Winnicut river. Tliis stream passes through 
 Stratham and Greenland into the Great Bay, which, througli 
 branches of the Piscataqua, mingles with the ocean. An- 
 other stream arises chiefly from two small ones running 
 nearly parallel from the north part of the town, and numer- 
 ous springs collected in a circle at the foot of Breakfast Hill. 
 These, running southerly and curling and encircling one 
 another on the grounds of the Drakes, Pickerings, and 
 French, form the greater part of Little river — a very useful 
 mill stream during some jjarts of the year, and wliich per- 
 haps, by digging and diking, may in time be made perennial. 
 Little river enters the sea between Little Boar's Head in 
 North Hampton and Great Boar's Head in Hampton, and 
 near the beautiful Rye Beach. 
 
 The first Meeting-house in what is now North Hampton 
 was built on the wide and level green near the top of North 
 Hill, as early as 1734. A few rods southwesterly from the 
 Meeting-house there was anciently a garrisoned house, a 
 necessary defence in the times of Indian hostilities. A num- 
 ber of jiersons in the North Hill parish were organized as the 
 Fourth Church of Christ in Hampton, and Rev. Nathaniel 
 Gookin, son of the late Eev. Nathaniel Gookin of Hampton, 
 was ordained pastor Oct. 31, 1739. He was born at Hamp- 
 ton in 1713, and graduated at Harvard in 1731. His people 
 made what at the time was considered a good provision for 
 his support ; but the great and continued depreciation of the 
 
NOETH HAMPTON. 107 
 
 currency was very disastrous. The people, to relieve their 
 pastor, voted an addition to his salary of £ 90 old tenor " to 
 help make good the currency." They increased the nominal 
 sum in old tenor from time to time, and on one occasion 
 voted, '' Mr. Gookin's salary to go four times double." It 
 was well that the people took some thought for their pastor, 
 for it is said that he was never distrustful, never complained, 
 was always contented and cheerful, and "ne^'er took thought 
 for the morrow." He deceased Oct. 22, 1766, aged fifty three 
 years, having sustained the character of a sound divine, a 
 serious, plain preacher, a ■ft'ise counsellor, and a much beloved 
 pastor of his flock. His ministry continued nearly twenty 
 seven years. Of a volume of records of those years only a 
 few leaves, which evince the accuracy with which the entries 
 were made, have come down to us. Our knowledge of the 
 aflairs of the church during those years is gathered from 
 miscellaneous sources. The Hon. Daniel Gookin, one of the 
 sons of Rev. Mr. Gookin, of Hampton, resided several years 
 in this town, was a member of the Congregational church, 
 and held several offices of honor and trust in the community. 
 The second Meeting-house in North Hampton was built in 
 1761. Its site was a short distance north of the first house. 
 It was occupied about seventy seven years. 
 
 Rev. Josejjh Stacey Hastings, the second pastor in North 
 Hampton, was born in Newton, Ms. 1742, graduated at Har- 
 vard 1762, was ordained Feb. 11, 1767, dismissed July 3, 
 1774, and died June 30, 1807, aged 64. During his minis- 
 try, which continued between seven and eight years, 55 were 
 added to the church. The people dismissed Mr. Hastings, 
 on his own request, and offered him the use of the parsonage 
 house, till it should be wanted for another minister. Mr. 
 Hastings chose to resign his ministry, having adopted the 
 opinions of Robert Sandeman. Baptisms in Mr. Hasting's 
 ministry 203. 
 
 Rev, Da\dd McClure, D.D., the tliird pastor of this church, 
 was installed Nov. 13, 1776. He was born in Boston in 1748, 
 educated at Yale 1769, dismissed Aug. 30, 1785. He died 
 in Conn., June 25, 1820, aged 71. Boon after Dr. McClure's 
 settlement at North Hampton, an excessive issue and depre- 
 ciation of the currency again befel the country. The issues 
 of paper soon amounted, in their nominal value, to two hun- 
 dred millions of dollars, and the value of the paper bills sunk 
 almost to nothing. In 1778, the people voted their minister 
 five hundred dollars in addition to his salary. The next year 
 one thousand ; in the winter following, that he might be sure 
 of something more substantial than paper, they voted him a 
 
108 EOCKINGHAJI COUNTY. 
 
 hundred bushels of com. The next year his salary was 
 increased forty for one. Its nominal value amounted to 
 $ 12,000. When he resigned his pastorate he had continued 
 with his people between nine and ten years, and had received 
 22 persons to the church ; baptisms 170. A preacher, emi- 
 nent for piety and zeal, deceased at the house of Dr. McClure, 
 who placed a monumental stone at his grave bearing the 
 inscription, " The reverend Henry AUine of Falmouth Nova 
 Scotia, in the midst of his zealous travels in the cause of 
 Christ, languished on the way, and cheerfully resigned his 
 life at North Hampton, 2 Feb. 1784, in the 35 year of his 
 age, whose remains are here interred." In less than a cen- 
 tury the inscription on the stone had become illegible, but 
 having been preserved in the church records, was obtained by 
 a relative and replaced in Italian niarble Avith the following 
 addition: " He was a burning and a shining light, and justly 
 esteemed the Apostle of Nova Scotia. Erected by his nephew 
 Joseph Alline." Dr. McClure's ministry in North Hampton 
 was during the American Kevolution, and continued till the 
 peace. The circumstances of the churches and of the coun- 
 try were jierjilexing and disheai'tening. He considered the 
 sujiport of the ministry and other religious institutions as 
 having become very precarious. In asking a dismission he 
 spoke honorably of the treatment he had received from the 
 people. His resignation was accepted and some privileges in 
 the parsonage voted to him. 
 
 Eev. Benjamin Thurston was ordained Nov. 2d, 1785. His 
 ministry continued about fifteen years. Additions 53 ; bap- 
 tisms 194. He was the fourth pastor of this church. In 1800 
 he tendered his resignation without assigning any definite 
 reasons. The resignation was accepted, and his clismission 
 voted, Oct. 27, 1800. Mr. Thurst<in was born in Bradford, 
 Ms., 1750 ; graduated at Harvard 1774. It is said that he 
 died near Raleigh, N. C, aged about fifty four. 
 
 Rev. Jonathan French, D.D., the fifth pastor of the Con- 
 gregational church and society of North Hampton, was born 
 in Andover, Ms., Aug. 16, 1778. He graduated at Harvard 
 in 1798; ordained at North Hampton Nov. 18, 1801. Re- 
 tired from the responsible services of his pastorate Nov. 18, 
 1851. The commencement of his ministry was not marked 
 either by sunshine or shade. It began in a settled storm of 
 political party strife among the people themselves. The 
 disturbing elements were gathering here before this people 
 and their candidate had any knowledge whatever of each 
 other. All who are acquainted with the history of the polit- 
 ical controversy in this country at the commencement of the 
 
NORTH HAMPTON. 109 
 
 present century can judge of the perplexities of a young- 
 preacher placed between such opposite contending forces. 
 There was an earnest majority of the town for his settle- 
 ment, and a strong opposition to it. Very peculiar circum- 
 stances demanded that the question of settling should be 
 submitted to a large and judicious council. Such a council 
 was convened. Dr. Tappan, Prof of Divinity at Harv. Col. 
 was moderator, and Dr. Buckminster of Portsmouth was 
 scribe. As appears from the minutes, opportunity was given 
 to the parties to make their several staternents as fully as 
 they might desire. The minutes of the scribe testify that 
 "after this had taken place, and after mature and prayerful 
 deliberation, it was voted unanimously, that the objections 
 and opposition that appeared against the settlement were 
 not sufficient to prevent the council from proceeding to 
 ordination." He was accordingly ordained. Mr. French 
 was settled, as each of his predecessors had been, by the 
 town, who voted to him, although the church and society 
 were Congregational, an annual salary so long as he should 
 remain their minister. The salary consisted of the occupan- 
 cy of a small parsonage farm with convenient buildings, ten 
 cords of hard and ten cords of pine wood, and four lunidred 
 dollars annually. This connection of the town with the 
 Congregational church and society and mmistry, furnished 
 occasional opportunities to agitate the subject of salary in 
 ways which threatened the entire demolition of the ancient 
 foimdations, although not an indi'S'idual was, during Mr. 
 French's pastorate, distrained for the minister tax, and al- 
 though a fund which grew out of a grant of Mr. Dalton, (a 
 minister of the ancient Congregational church in Hampton,) 
 paid more than half of the cash part of the minister's salary 
 here annually. The pastor, in view of a fermentation which 
 was raised when he had been settled about thirty five years, 
 proposed, unsolicited by any one, to release a fourth of the 
 cash part of his salary, and try as an experiment to pay his 
 debts and live of the rest. This movement fully succeeded 
 in quieting the panic, but the pastor soon found himselt 
 obliged to expend to the full amount of what he relinquished 
 from the savings which had been carefully nursed for a time 
 of need. But the Lord is ever true to his name, "Jehovah 
 Jireh," (The Lord will provide.) The quiet which ensued 
 gave opportunity to accomplish a long desired arrangement 
 for an equitable partition of the parsonage and lunds, which 
 issued in a peaceful transfer of the present parsonage and 
 the pastor from the town to the Congregational church and 
 society, and to a state of harmony and good will throughout 
 the whole community. 
 
110 
 
 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 There have been times of serious trial during the last half 
 centurj'. Some of the elderly people have said to their min- 
 ister, " It seems as if everything was going to ruin. Ifyoudie 
 or leave this place, the cause will sink." But God has helped 
 this Zion. There was one man who for many years exerted 
 great influence for good in times of discouragement. ^ He 
 once said to the pastor, " Don't be discouraged, — I will be 
 one of ten to support you." The same man, at a time when 
 much excitement arose on account of the general tax system 
 for the support of the ministry, sent a letter to the town 
 meeting, full of arguments, showing the temporal ben- 
 efits of the ministry and closing with an offer to pay the 
 rates of all who were unwilling or really unable to pay. He 
 said he could not do much, but he could be a " gap man" to 
 help sustain the minister and that he would be, whether their 
 views exactly accorded or not. The last male member of 
 the church who was in it at his settlement, told the senior 
 pastor that when he married and was about to remove his 
 bride, an only daughter, to her new home, her father enjoined 
 it upon them "as they would hope to prosper and enjoy the 
 blessing of God, to be good to their minister" — a princijjle 
 on which they and many others among this people have 
 acted. 
 
 The young pastor's heart was oppressed with the state of 
 things as he entered this field in the beginning of this cen- 
 tury. And the facts too fitly represent many of the churches 
 in the State as they then were, and clearly show that 
 great changes for the better have been made. Notice the 
 picture. The custom of catechising the children was laid 
 aside — houselnjld religious instruction was neglected — there 
 were no Sabbath Schools — the Sacramental lecture had been 
 discontinued because so few attended — there were no meet- 
 ings for social prayer — seldom a private lecture or more than 
 the usual Saljljath exercises. Though a town of only about 
 650 souls, yet 40 hogsheads of " fiery New England" were 
 sold in a year at one store in the place. And yet the farmer 
 in marketing his produce in neighboring towns, often brought 
 home a barrel and in some cases a hogshead, and deposited 
 it in his cellar. 
 
 The pastor introduced, at first, reading and singing and 
 then a Bible exercise at intermission on the Sabbath ; then 
 the Sabbath Schiiol, and at length the Monthly Concert. — 
 Many were alarmed lest the increase of meetings might tend 
 to irregularities, and even the good man who would pay the 
 taxes of the unwilling ones, was afraid this was being right- 
 eous overmuch. The weekly church prayer meeting was 
 
/ 
 
 NORTH HAMPTON. Ill 
 
 begun with the smallest number whom Christ promised to 
 meet. It gradually increased and has been ever since sus- 
 tained. Evening lectures were appointed and well attended. 
 Some tokens of mercy were given. At a later date came the 
 Temperance Reform with its unnumbered blessings. 
 
 In the autuiun of 1817 there were indications of a re\'ival 
 of religion among us. In about three months from the first 
 development of special interest in "the things which are not 
 seen and arc eternal,'' there were seventeen persons added to 
 our communion. That awakening, in some of its most 
 remarkable cases, could be distinctly traced to the blessing 
 of God upon the public exercises and influences of the weeldy 
 prayer-meeting ; the monthly concert ; and to the account 
 given by the pastor, of the narratives of the state of religion 
 as reported at a meeting, then recent, of the General Associa- 
 tion of New Hampshire. There was a season of retresliing 
 in 1821, and twelve persons, most of them heads of families, 
 were gathered into the church. The three intervening years 
 we were not without some special tokens of mercy. But our 
 young people took little interest in the subject of religion. 
 Their minds were carried away with the gaieties and amuse- 
 ments often so attractive to the young. Pious jiarents saw 
 with great anxiety, their children growing up around them 
 in neglect of the great salvation. Some of those jiarents had 
 in fresh remembrance, though several years had passed away, 
 a young man, one of their cotemporaries, among whom there 
 was not one in the place more beloved, who uni|uestionably 
 sacrificed liis life a vcitary to the pleasures of the dancing- 
 floor and its attendant amusements. An affectionate sister 
 did not hesitate to attribute his premature death tii this cause 
 and could not afterwards speak of such perversions of time 
 and youthful vivacity without deep emotions of grief About 
 the beginning of 1823, the j'oung people, although of as regu- 
 lar moral deportment as youth in general, ap})eared to be 
 more than usually inclined to parties of amusement. The 
 feelings of their pastor and of their Christian parents and 
 friends cannot be described. Much prayer was offered on 
 their behalf. The faith of Christians was tried, but at length 
 their prayers were answered. A revival of considerable 
 extent ensued. Among the results may be noticed, that in 
 one direction for about two miles there was hardly a liouse 
 in which the influence of the Holy Spirit was not manifest.^ 
 The attention, although more general among the youth than 
 any other class, was not confined to them. A number of 
 heads of families, and some persons past middle age were 
 among the subjects of hopeful conversion. The taste of a 
 
112 
 
 EOCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 large portion of the young people was changed. For "those 
 noisy senseless balls," as a young man who knew their history 
 appropriately termed them", were substituted social meetings, 
 wlhch furnished intellectual pleasure and improvement ; and 
 which strengthened and enlivened the most cheerful and 
 refined feelings of the heart. In that revival more than 
 sixty entertained the hope that they had experienced rehgion. 
 Forty tive were received to communion. Several other seasons 
 of refreshing from the presence of the Lord have been granted 
 to us, though none, perhaps, surpassing in interest that which 
 has just been mentioned. In connection with the erection 
 of the present house of worship, and subsecpently to its 
 completion, the Lord, to whom it was consecrated, poured 
 upon us a blessing, which we hoped was significant of his 
 favor toward the undertaking. 
 
 The church has received 173 " letters missive" to attend 
 councils — has attended 144 of them — but had no occasion 
 for one among themselves for the fifty years of the senior 
 pastor's active service. During his ministry 285 persons 
 were admitted to the church and there were 456 baptisms. — 
 Of 643 deaths in town in fifty years, 79 occurred between 
 the ages of 70 and 80 ; 63 between 80 and 90 ; 20 over 90 ; 
 and 1 at 99. 
 
 On the 15th of Nov. 1851, the fiftieth anniversary of his 
 settlement, Dr. French preached a sermon full of historic 
 interest, from Avliich, with his aid, much of this account is 
 taken. At his urgent request the people looked after a col- 
 league during the following year. Mr. John Dinsmore came 
 among them in the s])ring of 1852, and amidst a most pre- 
 cious outpouring of the Spirit of Grod, the aged pastor wel- 
 comed to his aid this young brother in the ministry. It was 
 emphatically a time of love. Many expressions of interest 
 were made to the retiring pastor and a hearty welcome was 
 given to the new laborer. Mr. Dinsmore was ordained Nov. 
 18, 1852. About forty were added to the church as the fruit 
 of this blessed work. The church numbers 178. They paid 
 $280 to benevolent objects the past year and pay a salary 
 of $ 600. This history speaks loudly in favor of a j^erma- 
 nent ministry. Though one of the smallest towns in the 
 State (population 850) it is one of the most noted, and has 
 exerted in our religious interests an influence second perhaps 
 to none. By holding on ujion its pastor it has helped to 
 make him what he is and what he could not have Ijeen in an 
 itinerant work, and, in the hand of the Lord he has made 
 them what they are. Had they been divided into sects, they 
 w^oukl now resendjle many towns in the State where desola- 
 tion reigns. 
 
NORTHWOOD. 113 
 
 NORTHWOOD. 
 
 Rev. Otis Holmes. 
 
 The first Congregational Meeting-liouse in this town was 
 erected in 1781, and continued to be occupied for the wor- 
 ship of God until 1840 ; it was thenceforward used as a town 
 hall until March 10, 1847, when it was consumed hy fire. 
 On the original site are now standing the district school 
 house and the newly built town hall. The second Congre- 
 gational Meeting-house was erected in 1840, at an exjieuse 
 of about twenty five hundred dollars. 
 
 The first pastor of the church in this town, Eev. Jdsiah 
 Prentice, was ordained May 29, 1799. His ministerial labors 
 were continued, and were eminently successful, until May 
 10, 1842, when, from advanced age and other infirmities, he 
 requested and received dismission from his pastoral charge. 
 At his ordination there were present, Eev. Lewis Lankton, 
 Eev. Isaac Smith, Eev. Curtis Coe, Eev. T. Upham, Eev. 
 E. Hazeltine, and Eev. J. Carpenter. The first and only 
 Congregational church in this town was formed Nov. 29, 
 1798, consisting of eight members, four males and four 
 females. The fidlowing ministers were present and took 
 part in its organization, riz : Eev. Curtis Coe, Eev. J. Car- 
 penter, and Eev. E. Hazeltine. At the time the church was 
 formed, of eight members, 1798, the population of the town 
 was aljout 1,000. During the whole time of the pastorate 
 of Mr. Prentice there were about two hundred persons added 
 to the church. It now numbers eighty six members, and 
 the population of the town is 1300. The Eev. Josiah Pren- 
 tice recently died at the age of 83. He was much beloved 
 and was a worthy man. 
 
 Soon after the dismissal of the first pastor, the labors of 
 the Eev Benjamin F. Clarke were secured tor a short season. 
 Eev, Eliot C. Cogswell received from the church and society 
 a call to settle with them in the gospel ministry, and was 
 ordained Nov. 22, 1842. By his own request he was dis- 
 missed from his pastoral charge, July 18, 1848. Rev. 
 Joseph Tarlton was then employed for a few months. 
 
 Rev. Otis Holmes, the present pastor, commenced his 
 ministerial labors here May 1, 1849, and was installed as 
 pastor Jan. 1, 1850. During the last two pastorates impor- 
 tant accessions have been made to the church. Within 
 three years past the church and society have purchased three 
 acres of land, and erected upon it commodious buildings, for 
 a parsonage. The property is deeded to the Congregational 
 
114 EOCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 society of Nortliwood, with no incumbrance. Within the 
 period under review, two or three young men in connection 
 witli tlie society, had contemplated fitting for the ministry, 
 but were prevented by death. The benevolent enterprises 
 of the age have received a good degree of attention, in the 
 contributions and prayers of this peojde. Infant baptism 
 has received the earnest attention of all the ministers whose 
 services have here been rendered, and most of the parents 
 who have come into the church have honored the ordinance 
 in tlieir practice. No schisms of any considerable extent 
 have existed in this church. Its present pastor has a salary 
 of $ 400. For all the good that has been done by this small 
 member of the Redeemer's family ; for aU the souls that have 
 been renewed and saved, it may be said, "Not unto us, 
 Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy 
 inercy, and for thy truth's sake. 
 
 NOTTINGHAM. 
 
 This town was chartered in 1722, and in 1727 Joseph 
 Cilley and others made the first settlement. Its population 
 in 1820, was 1126 and in 1850, 1268. After sundry efi'orts 
 to secure the privileges of the gospel, they united in church 
 relations in 1742, and, at the same time, received their first 
 pastor. Rev. Stephen Emery. They were not to enjoy his 
 labors, however, but for a brief period. He was dismissed 
 after a pastorate of about seven 3^ears and died May 24, 
 1782, aged 70 years. He was a native of Exeter, and a 
 graduate of Harvard college in 1730. 
 
 In 1758 Rev. Benjamin Butler of the class of 1752, Har- 
 vard college, was settled and i-emained until Aug. 1, 1770, 
 a period of twelve years. After his dismission Mr. Butler 
 continued his residence in the place, but employed himself 
 in secular pursuits. The blessings of a settled ministry have 
 not been enjoyed since his removal. Previous to 1800 a call 
 was given to Rev. James Hobart. He had produced a strong 
 impression. The people loved him. But his way was not 
 clear to comply with their request to abide with them. — 
 After an absence of about forty years, he revisited the place. 
 •The youtliful, ardent preacher was now stricken with the 
 frosts of time, but there was much joy at his coming and 
 their feebleness alone prevented their employing him for a 
 series of years. At this place and Epping Rev. J. LeBos- 
 quet preached during 1839 and 1840. In 1840 a church was 
 
PLAISTOW. 115 
 
 organized of fourteen members. This was the third that 
 had been formed, the two first having ceased to be. In 
 1845 Rev. Jonathan Ward spent eleven weeks in Notting- 
 ham and generously declined receiving the appropriation 
 made by the Missionary society for his services, though the 
 people jiaid him something. Rev. E. C. Cogswell lal)ored 
 among them six weeks in 1848, and in 1850, Rev. E. Dow 
 nine months. Rev. C. H. Gates was employed as a sujiply 
 in the autumn of 1850 for one year. The church then cm- 
 braced ten members. 
 
 PLAISTOW. 
 
 Rev. Charles Tennet. 
 
 This church was organized Nov. 4th, 1730, on a tlay ol 
 Fasting and Prayer, specially appointed for this purpose. It 
 was originally styled the Church in the North Precinct of 
 Haverhill, Ms., which then included the territory now com- 
 prised within the limits of the towns of Plaistow and Atkin- 
 son. It was composed of 59 members from the 1st Church 
 in Haverhill. On the 4th of March following, ten more were 
 added from the 1st Church in Haverhill. 
 
 At the above named meeting Mr. James Cushing was 
 invited to be their pastor, and was ordained on the 2d of 
 December following. Nothing appears to have occurred, 
 during his ministry, which continued about thirty three years, 
 that disturbed the harmony of the church, or the comf trt of 
 the pastor. There was not, perhaps, what may be termed a 
 revival of religion, j^et a good number were added to the 
 church — 164 in all — 115 by profession, and 49 by letter. 
 The greatest number in any one year (1737) was 14. The 
 halfway covenant ])ractice was then in use, and during Mr. 
 Cusliing's ministry 200 owned the covenant in this way, and 
 had their children baptized. It does not appear, from the 
 records, that he baptized an adult, on receiving members to 
 full communion ; and this practice will account f :>r the great 
 number of infant baptisms duiing this time, which vi'as 1275. 
 The Rev. Mr. Cushing died May 13, 1764. 
 
 On the 6th of March of the following year, Mr. Gyles Mer- 
 rill was ordained pastor of the church," and died Ajiril 27th, 
 1801, after a ministry of about thirty seven years. The 
 number of admissions to the church was 59—47 by profession, 
 and 12 by letter. The Rev. Mr. Merrill had a peaceful ministry 
 and was greatly respected and beloved by his people. As a 
 
IIG EOCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 preacher he was orthodox in faith, of sound learning, discreet, 
 and was justly and highly esteemed. After the death of Mr. 
 MerriU, this church was without a nettled pastor twenty five 
 years ; and, during this time, became much enfeebled. The 
 records do not show that more than 8 persons were admitted 
 to the church — for 17 years, not one — exhibiting, conclusively, 
 the sad effects of the al)sence of a settled ministry. 
 
 On the 26th of Dec. 1826, the Eev. Moses Welch, who had 
 been preaching to the people as a stated supply, for about two 
 years and a half, was installed pastor of the church, and con- 
 tinued with them till the 2d of Feb. 1831, when he was dis- 
 missed at his own request. There were admitted to the church 
 after Mr. Welcli's installation, 36 — 3 by letter, and 33 by pro- 
 fession, and all of these 33, except 2, were the fiuits of a 
 revival wliich occurred in 1827. Mr. Welch baptized 26 
 children. 
 
 On the day of Mr. Welch's dismission, the Kev. Samuel H. 
 Peckham was chosen to be pastor, and he was installed the 
 23d day of the same month. Much of Mr. PecMiam's minis- 
 try was unquiet and unpleasant, yet in a very good degree 
 successful. He was dismissed Sept. 10th, 1838, having "the 
 undiminished confidence" of the dismissing council, as "a 
 good and able minister of the gospel." During his ministry, 
 of about seven years, there were added to the church 31 by 
 profession, and 5 by letter ; and 23 children were baptized. 
 Oct. 25, 1772, 13 of the members of this church, resident 
 in Atkinson, were dismissed and recommended for the 
 purpose, in union with others, of being organized into a church 
 in said town. Eev. David Oliphant statedly sujiplied the 
 pulpit after Mr. Peckham's dismission. A neat and commo- 
 dious house of worshij) was erected in 1837, in the place of 
 the old house, which had become wholly unfit for use. The 
 new house is the property of proprietors. 
 
 Mr. Oliphant left in 1852, and during his ministry there 
 were added to the church 7 by letter and 25 by profession. 
 Infant liaptisms, 32. Kev, Charles Tenney commenced his 
 labors early in 1853, with this church, and 12 persons have 
 been added by letter, and 28 by jn-ofession since that time. 
 Present number of members, 90. The church building 
 stands near the Haverhill line — the parsonage, a few .rods 
 distant is situated in Haverhill, Ms. Attendance at public 
 worship is about equally from Haverhill and Plaistow. Sev- 
 eral families also attend from Atkinson, the boundary line of 
 which is about half a mile distant. The average attendance 
 at worship on tlie Sabbath exceeds 150. For the past sixteen 
 years, the ministry was supported by voluntary subscription. 
 
rORTSMOUTH. 117 
 
 Eight men have entered the ministry from laniilies con- 
 nected with this dnirch — six of them Congregatioualists, one 
 Methodist, one E})iseopalian. 
 
 ©la ■Notti) lKcctinB*i)ousc from 1712 to ISS-l. 
 PORTSMOUTH.* 
 
 Rev. L. AVhiting. 
 
 '"Therefore, Honorahle and worthy countrymen," said 
 Capt. Smith to the New Hampsliire colonists, "let not the 
 meanness of the word /.sA distaste you, for it will aff(jrd you 
 as good gold as the mines of Potosi, with less hazard and 
 charge, and more certainty and facility." 
 
 This discloses in the briefest manner the origin of Ports- 
 mouth, for that lofty and self forgetting devotion to great 
 principles which baptized many of the eaiiy settlements lin- 
 ing the New England coast, never put its seal on the brow 
 
 • Sketch by H. C. K. 
 
118 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 of Strawberry Bank. It.s first colonists— fish mongers of 
 London, more intent on trade tlian religion — arrived three 
 years after the Pilgrims at Plymouth. They first settled 
 at Little Harbor, nor was it until seven years that houses 
 began to dot the ridge which run along from Pitts Street to 
 Chaj)cl Hill, then called " The Bank." Here the church with 
 its wholesome discijdine and heavenly comforts found no 
 early home. Though a chaixd and iiarsonage seem to have 
 been built, no regular provision was made for a settled min- 
 istry until 1G40, when twenty of the inhabitants deeded to 
 some church wardens fifty acres of land for a glebe, twelve 
 of which lay in what is now the most compact part of the 
 city ; and seventeen years after, the to\^T.i voted to build a 
 Meeting-house on a lise of land a few rods south of the south 
 mill dam. Hitherto there had been but transient preaching, 
 but the progress of the new Meeting-house, quickening the 
 religious instincts of the settlers, they resolved to have a 
 minister, and thirty six subscribers called a young man of 
 rising fxme, Joslma Moodey, from the neighboiing colony of 
 Massachusetts. This was in 1658. He accepted the call 
 and the town voted to settle liini. And as a proof, we take 
 it, of their readiness to remove all hindrances in the way of 
 the new preacher's usefulness, the town meeting ordered a 
 cage to be made to jjunish those who slept or took tobacco 
 on the Lord's Day, during the public service. Such cages 
 miglit not be amiss now-a-days. Mr. Moodey was a brave, 
 able and zealous preacher ; and when we think of his moral 
 field, a trading community long isolated from the ordinances 
 of the gospel, with little or no spiritual affinities for the Pu- 
 ritan element of sister colonies, we need not vfonder that 
 thirteen years of instruction and labor were necessary before 
 a church could be gathered. Professing Christians from 
 other places had mcan-SNliile moved to Portsmouth, who felt 
 they could no "longer satisfy themselves to live without 
 those strengthening and edifying ordinances which their souls 
 tasted the good of in tiures jiast, and others well aflected to 
 the work, professed their longings after the fat and marrow- 
 ed tilings of God's house." Little meetings of conference, 
 confession and jirayer were held from house to house, "to 
 the mutual refreshing and endearing of the speakers, and to 
 the awakening and warning of the neighbors who were per- 
 mitted to be present." The civil authority was made 
 acr{uainted with their wishes, and at last in 1671, several 
 churches were invited to come and assist in the formation of 
 the first church in Portsmouth and the " ordination of offi- 
 cers therein." These were the church in Cambridge, of 
 
POETSMOUTH. 119 
 
 wliicli Mr. Moodey was a meniLer, and those of Ipswch, 
 Kowley, and Hampton. Eight members with the minister 
 entered into a covenant of their faitli in Christ, and with 
 appropriate solemnities he was ordained their pastor. A 
 deacon also was set apart by the " imposition of hand and 
 prayer." And thus after a la]ise of nearly fifty years, this 
 little branch of the spiritual vine was planted in feebleness 
 but in faith upon oiu- native soil. More than ten years of 
 pastoral labor went by, when political troubles disturbed the 
 peace of the people of God. In 1684, a member of tlie 
 church was charged with talse swearing in relation to the 
 seizure of a fishing smack in the harbor, and though the 
 matter was hushed up to the Grovernor, not so to the minis- 
 ter. In an attempt to ferret out the truth, the Governor 
 commanded him to desist ; but zealous for the honor of the 
 church, he preached a sermon upon the evil of false swearing, 
 and boldly called the ofiender to an account ; wjio, unalile to 
 brave the searching and pungent preaching of his minister, 
 made a public confession of his sin. This the imperious 
 spirit of Governor Cranfield could not brook, and he 
 determined to wreak his vengeance on Mr. Moodey. For 
 this purpose he determined to put into execution the Con- 
 formity Act of Charles the II. which was at that time 
 crushing thousands of the best subjects in England. Ho 
 therefore, as Governor, issued a formal edict, winch declared 
 "that all persons who desired it should be admitted to the 
 Lord's Supper, according to the Liturgy of the English 
 church." The Governor then sent word to the pastor, that 
 he and two of his friends intended to partake of this sacra- 
 ment on the next Lord's day. 
 
 Mr. Moodey j^romptly and boldly refused to receive them, 
 for which he was arrested and thrown into jail at Great 
 Island, now called New Castle. "Our inenester lyees in 
 prison and a fammine of the Word of God cominge upon 
 us," writes one in that dark day. "The Sabliath is come, 
 but no preaching at the Banke. Motyones have been made 
 that Mr. Moodey may goe up and preach on the Lord's 
 daye, tho' hee come down to prisson at night, or that naibor 
 ministers might be pjermitted to come and preach, or that 
 the people might come down to the prison and heare as 
 many as could, but nothing vnll doe. Good Mrs. Martin 
 was buried, being not able to live above one Sabbath after 
 the shutting up of the doors of the sanctuary." Nor was 
 the sorrow of the bereaved flock less keen than that of the 
 imprisoned pastor. In the absence of the Governor, he 
 obtained leave from his deputy to permit preaching, and 
 
•120 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 thus he pours out his soul in a letter to a brother clergyman 
 at Kowley, beseeching his assistance: "Oh, consider that 
 my poor flock have fasted about forty days and niust now 
 be an hungere<l. Have pity upon them, have pity upon 
 them, oh thou my friend, and when you have taken yr' turn 
 we shall hope for some other. Let this good work for the 
 house of Grod be done, that you may be blest of God for 
 good. You will thereliy not" only visit me in prison, but 
 feed a great multitude of the hungry and thirsty little ones 
 in Christ, which will lie accounted for at that day." 
 
 After thirteen weeks imprisonment Mr. Moodey was releas- 
 ed, on condition of his leaving the colony. He went to Bos- 
 ton, where lie staid ten years, his old and endeared Hock 
 never losing their hold upon him. In 1693, all obstacles 
 having been removed, he returned to labor four years longer 
 among the jjeople of Portsmouth, when death removed him 
 to the rewards of the firitliful in Heaven. His la,st words to 
 a brother clergyman were, "2^/ie life of the churches — the life 
 of the chm-ches, and the power of godliness in them, I 
 beseech you to look after that." Checkered as his ministry 
 had been, it was blessed of God ; one hundred and sixty 
 were gathered into the church during his ministr^^, and such 
 was the power of his preaching that families walked from 
 Greenland, six or eight miles, to attend the Sabbath service. 
 What provision was made in the counsels of the dying pas- 
 tor for his successor, we do not know ; but within a month 
 after his death, a call was issued to Rev. Nathaniel Eogers, 
 the son of President Rogers of Harvard college, a descendant 
 of the martyr, whose s}iiritual gifts marked many of that 
 illustrious line. 
 
 As settlements thickened on the Bank, and the old Meet- 
 ing-house became battered Ijy the storms of more than fifty 
 ■winters, the town voted to build a new one on the corner of 
 the glebe land in the northerly part of the town. The move- 
 ment excited a fierce opposition ; tovm meetings and counter 
 town meetings, votes and counter votes agitated the commu- 
 nity, while still the l:inilding went up, and when completed, 
 the majority decided it should he the settled Meeting-house 
 of the town, and a vote of the church removed Mr. Rogers 
 from the old sanctuary to the new. This was the old three 
 storied pile, whose dorrble galleries and square pews and huge 
 oak 230sts and braces are within the memory of the present 
 generation. 
 
 In 1740, permission was given by the parish to " any per- 
 sons or number of persons to procure a clock at their own 
 cost, to set it up in the steeple of their Meeting-house, so 
 
PORTSMOUTH. 121 
 
 that its hammer might strike on the bell." This permission 
 was accepted a few years after, by Daniel Peirce and several 
 other gentlemen, who purchased a clock and presented it to 
 the town on the 25th of March, 1749. This clock, many 
 years afterwards, on the introduction of a new one, was re- 
 moved to the tower of the old South Meeting-house, where it 
 did good service till a recent period. The new clock, which 
 took its place, was made by that faithful and accurate work- 
 man, Mr. Simon Willard, in the year 1803, and after the 
 constant wear of about fifty years, is pronounced about as 
 good as new. It is to be used in the new tower, with the old 
 bell, as a connecting link between the past and the present. 
 
 The present hell bears the date of 1764 ; its immediate 
 predecessor, the record says, having become cracked, was sent 
 to England to be re-cast, and was lost on the voyage. 
 
 Mr. Rogers' able ministry continued until 1723, when his 
 death took place, and he was buried in the old burial place 
 called the " Point of Graves." Eev. John Fitch, from Ips- 
 wich, succeeded him, on the salary of 130 pounds a year, 
 and the " contribution of strangers." After a pious and use- 
 ful ministry of twenty years, the infirmities of age creeping 
 upon him, a young clergyman from Boston, Samuel Lang- 
 don, master of a grammar school in town, was invited to as- 
 sist Mr. Fitch in his pastoral labors. Within a year, 1746, 
 the old minister ceased from his earthly work, and the new 
 one entered upon all the responsibilities of the ministerial 
 office. For twenty seven years he was the faithful jireacher 
 and laborious pastor of the North Church, when his learning 
 and piety secured to liim the Presidency of Harvard Col- 
 lege, and he removed to Cambridge. In the interval of five 
 years between his departure and the settlement of Rev. 
 Joseph Buekminster, Dr. Stiles of Newport, driven from his 
 flock by the calamities of the war, supplied the North 
 Church pulpit for a year, and he might have long remained 
 to bless the town with his able ministry, had not Yale col- 
 lege invited him to the President's chair. 
 * Massachusetts again gave one of her sons, and Rev. Joseph 
 Buekminster, in the early part of 1779, was ordained over 
 the old North Church. Portsmouth had been now long dis- 
 tinguished for its wealth and the generous hospitality of its 
 principal families. The elegance and sjilendor of the old 
 country were re-produced in this part of the new. Cocked 
 hats and gold headed canes, embniidered waistcoats and gold 
 laced coats glided up the aisles of the old Meeting-house ; 
 while chariots with liveried footmen were standing at the 
 door. Politics and pleasure divided the breasts of the people, 
 9 
 
122 KOCKINGHAM COUNTT. 
 
 and little room was left for the exercise of that holy living 
 required by the elevated standard of Buckminster's the- 
 ology. Thirty three years of faithful and indefatigable labor 
 passed away, whose fruit, not all seen by our dim vision, is 
 yet gathered up in the eternal harvest. 
 
 Mr. Buckminster's death took place in June, 1812, wliile 
 on a journey in quest of health, at Bennington, Vermont, 
 spreading grief throughout his flock and over a large circle 
 of relatives and friends. 
 
 Rev. Israel W. Putnam, D.D. another of the Bay State 
 sons, succeeded Dr. Buckminster. After a ministry of twenty 
 years, marked by powerful revivals and the ingathering of 
 many into the church of our Lord, he left in 1835 for another 
 field of labor, leaving many hearts knit to him by the ten- 
 derest ties of Christian affection. 
 
 The antiquated architecture of the old sanctuary it was 
 now thought, needed to be remodeled ; and though many an 
 old parishioner sighed over the restless spirit of reform, the 
 old pile, both inside and out, was converted into a respecta- 
 ble looking Meeting-house of more modern style. 
 
 Rev. Edwin Holt was the first occupant of the re-formed 
 sanctuary. He was installed in 1836, and resigned his charge 
 for a parish in New York, in 1842. 
 
 Rev. Rufus W. Clark was his successor, who after a pop- 
 ular ministry of nine years, accepted a call from the Mav- 
 erick church in East Boston, in 1851. 
 
 The Rev. Henry I). Moore was installed in August, 1853, 
 and dismissed Aug. 7, 1855. But the " Old North," the 
 holy place where our fathers worshiped, has done its work 
 for the generations gone by ; it was decrepit with age ; it 
 had lost its hold upon the afl^ections of the people of the 
 present ; — it has been swept away, and a " New North," 
 better suited to the tastes and demands of the present age, 
 has risen on the old site. When a vote of the parish de- 
 cided to tear down the old and build a " New," thirty seven 
 parishioners came forward with generous subscriptions, from 
 one hundred to three thousand dollars, according to their 
 means, until they reached the sum of $ 24,000. 
 
 The new house was completed and publicly dedicated Nov. 
 1st, 1855. On the same day. Rev. L. Whiting, from Mas- 
 sachusetts, was examined, approved, and installed pastor of 
 the church and congregation. 
 
 Thus in a period of 215 years this church, almost " moth- 
 er of us aU," has settled ten pastors, and buried but four 
 of them. The first six of the number, served the church 
 about 140 years, and of the last four, three ministered but 
 
RAYMOND. 123 
 
 19 years ; the last one has just entered their service. Re- 
 vivals of religion have been among the fondly cherished 
 experiences of this church, and memorable scenes have they 
 been. No scliism, or fatal alienation has sprung up among 
 the members, though at times the religious character of the 
 church has been mournfully low. It once had a church 
 hbrary. It was lost by fire. A parsonage and a chapel like- 
 wise, thus perished. The communion service is marked 
 " 1705," and was imported from England, except the flag- 
 ons, wliich were presented about fifty years later. The par- 
 ish own a chapel in addition to their new Meeting-house, 
 but have now no parsonage. The church numbers nearly 
 350. About $ 20,000 of the pew property was sold on the 
 first day of sale. The house will seat above one thousand 
 persons. 
 
 EAYMOND.* 
 
 In the year 1763, at a town meeting held in Chester, it 
 was "granted and voted that a part of said township com- 
 monly called Freetown, be incorporated into a new parish." 
 The act of incorporation was passed the same year, and the 
 new parish was called Ea}Tnond. 
 
 The first settlers of Raymond came from Hampton, 
 Hawke, (Danville,) Kingston, Chester and Exeter, between 
 the years 1750 and 1763. Most of them possessed a puri- 
 tanic respect for religion, and a few of them were members 
 of the churches in the towns from which they came ; while 
 some are said to have had httle regard for things sacred, and 
 to have uniformly opposed the raising of money by the par- 
 ish for religious purposes. 
 
 PubHc worsliip was held for many years in the house of 
 Benjamin Bean. Efforts were made to erect a Meeting- 
 house as early as 1768, but the people could not agree where 
 it should stand. A small Meeting-house frame was raised 
 in 1774, near the spot now occupied by the pound ; but it 
 was never finished. It was finally sold at auction and used 
 in constructing a bridge across Lamprey river, on the road 
 leading to Deerfield. Another house was raised in the year 
 1786 near the residence of David Page. The sermon at its 
 dedication was preached by Rev. Mr. Stearns of Epping, 
 from Psalm 132: 6, — "Lo, we heard of it at Ephrata, we 
 found it in the fields of the wood." This text was probably 
 
 • Hislory by Rev. D. Burt, late pastor. 
 
124 
 
 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 selected on account of the location of the house. It was 
 surrounded by the primeval forest. TMs flict once led some 
 one to post up an advertisement, that he had "found a 
 stray Meeting-house in the woods." Many in town, espec- 
 ially among the young men, being dissatisfied with its loca- 
 tion, after holding numerous parish meetings, it was finally 
 decided, by a small majority, that it should be removed. 
 The moving took place in the autumn of 1797. The inhab- 
 itants of the neighboring towns assisted, and "the team" 
 consisted of about eighty yoke of oxen. After it was lutch- 
 ed to the house and ready for a start, prayer was offered by 
 Rev. Mr. Stearns. It was moved to what is now the center 
 of business, about half a mile from its old position at the 
 geographical center. After the Free Will Baptist society 
 was organized the old house became an object of some con- 
 tention. It was once decided that the Baptists should occu- 
 py it a part of the time, and they did so for a while, the 
 Congregationalists holding their meetings in a private house. 
 In the year 1834 the Congregational society erected a new 
 Meeting-house which it occupies at the present time. The 
 old house has been occupied hj the Methodist society, and 
 is now used as a town house. Its end, however, draweth 
 nigh, and it would not be anticipating the course of events 
 very much, should its obituary now be written. 
 
 The parish had no settled minister before the year 1800. 
 A Mr. Gilman is mentioned as having preached in 1764. 
 At later dates are mentioned the names of AVebster, Eeed, 
 Thurston, Nehemiah Ordaway, Williams and Moore. The 
 last two both received a call to settle, which they declined. 
 In 1799 a Mr. Gillett preached on the deatli of Gen. Wash- 
 ington. Some of these men are remembered as good preach- 
 ers and consistent Christians. One of them, however, once 
 remarked that he had as good orthodoxy in his pocket as 
 any body — alluding to a sermon which he was about to 
 preach. An aged brother thinks it would have been well 
 for him to have carried his oiihodoxy in his heart. 
 
 Ilcv. Jonathan Stickncy was ordained in the year 1800. 
 He is remembered as an able and soimd minister. He was 
 dismissed in 1807, being nearly worn out by consumption, 
 of which he soon after died. After Mr. Stickney left, the 
 church, consisting then of forty three members, had occa- 
 sional preaching until 1817, by Messrs. Holt, Homer, Crea- 
 sy, Peak and Stone. The last two were Calvanistic Bap- 
 tists. From 181.3 to 1817, the church was supplied with 
 missionaries about half the time, sent out by "The Mass. 
 Society for promoting Christian Knowledge." 
 
RAYMOND. ' 125 
 
 Eev, Stephen Bailey was installed Oct. ], 1817, for five 
 years, and hence dismissed Oct. 22, 1822. Toward the last 
 of Mr. Bailey's ministry, Mr. Wheeler of Gandia, on an 
 exchange with him, preached a sermon from Isa. 55 : 9, in 
 which he dwelt npon the Divine Sovereignty. Mr. Burnham 
 of Pembroke also on a similar occasion, preached from Eph. 
 1 : 4, on the doctrine of Election. Mr. Bailey felt it his 
 duty to oppose the sentiments advanced in these sermons by 
 his neighboring brethren. By so doing, he caused a division 
 in the church. The main body of the church were against 
 him ! A few, however, took his side in the affair, and the 
 contention did not cease until he left. 
 
 Rev. Seth Farnsworth was ordained Oct. 3, 1824. He is 
 always spoken of as an able preacher and a man of deep pie- 
 ty. He was dismissed in 1834 on account of the ill health 
 of his wife. He was afterwards settled in Hillsborough, 
 where he soon died. 
 
 Eev. Andrew H. Reed was installed Nov. 13, 1834, and 
 dismissed because many were not satisfied with him as a 
 preacher, Oct. 26, 1836. He soon after left the ministry. 
 
 Rev. Anson Sheldon was installed June 28, 1837, and 
 dismissed Oct. 15, 1839, the church being divided on the 
 question of his usefulness. 
 
 Eev. John 0. Page was ordained Oct. 6, 1841, and dis- 
 missed May 7, 1851. 
 
 Rev. David Burt was ordained Nov. 5, 1851. and dismiss- 
 ed in 1855. 
 
 When the town was set off from Chester, one hundred 
 acres of land were laid out for a parsonage L^t, the income 
 of which was to be devoted to the support of a preacher. 
 This lot was situated on the road leading to Deerfield, about 
 eighty rods from the top of " The long hill." It was sold 
 by the town in 1824 for about $1170, and this sum was put 
 at interest. The income of this fund is now divided among 
 the three religious societies in town. In 1816, parsonage 
 buildings were erected, by subscription, at a cost of about 
 $700. In 1824, about five acres of this parsonage lot were 
 purchased of the town by the Congregational society for 
 $45,.50. But this situation was sold in 1825 for $370. A 
 building spot was given to the society by Slnu-burn Blake, 
 Esq., and a parsonage was erected upon it in 1836. The 
 cost of tliis house was about $1000. 
 
 The funds of the society, exclusive of its variable share of 
 the parsonage fund, amount to $700. 
 
 The first parish meeting was held at the house of Benja- 
 min Bean, May 29, 1764. At this meeting officers were 
 
126 
 
 EOCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 appointed to serve until the annual meeting in March fol- 
 lowing. At a special parish meeting, held April 1, 1765, it 
 ■was "voted that £300, old tenor, be raised this year for the 
 support of the preached gospel," and "that Capt. John 
 Cram, Benjamin Whitcher and Enoch Fogg be a committee 
 to secure the services of a minister." Voted also, "that 
 those persons who belong to the Presbytery, shall be eased 
 of their minister rates." Almost every year it was voted 
 "to ease" some one, of his minister rates, — probably all were 
 so " eased " who objected to being taxed for the support of 
 the gospel. In 1787 it was voted that, "any person desirous 
 of not being rated" for the support of a minister "shall not 
 he, after notifying the parish clerk of his unwillingness to 
 be so rated." "The standing order" in Raymond has never 
 compelled any one to aid in supporting its minister. Dur- 
 ing the revolutionary war no money was voted for religious 
 purposes. 
 
 A vote was passed in 1787 to give Mr. Stephen Williams 
 a call, provided that his salary should be £ 65 a year, one 
 third "to be paid in beef and porke and corn or grain at the 
 current market price." He was also to have the use of the 
 parsonage lot and 20 cords of wood delivered annually at his 
 door. Mr. Bailey received a salary of $ 450, with the use of 
 the parsonage and five acres of land ; also 15 cords of wood 
 annually delivered at his door. Mr. Farnsworth was paid a 
 salary of $375, with the income of the parsonage property. 
 Mr. Farnsworth finding his salary inadequate to meet his 
 wants, $75 were annually added to it by subscription for 
 several of the last years of his ministry. The salary of Mr. 
 Reed and also of Mr. Sheldon was $350 and the parsonage. 
 The salary of Mr. Page was $375 ; that of the present min- 
 ister is $425, and parsonage. The Congregational society 
 was incorporated in 1816, and in 1817 it had sixty five 
 members. Its present number is fifty eight. 
 
 The orthodox Cijngregational church in Rayn^md was 
 organized in 1791, with twenty two members. Previous to 
 the settlement of Mr. Stickney, those who wished, could 
 enter into "the halfway covenant," and have their children 
 baptized. In the case of those who "owned the covenant" 
 for this purpose, to the clause " you promise to walk in aU 
 the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless," 
 it was added, "so far as God shall afford you light and direc- 
 tion." Mr. Stickney, not being in favor of this practice, it 
 was abolished when he became pastor of the church. At 
 the present time the members of the church even, with a 
 few exceptions, do not give up their children in the ordi- 
 
BYE. , 127 
 
 nance of baptism. It is recorded that "On the Lord's 
 day June 29, 1817, fifty nine children were baptized." 
 Twenty eight were also baptized May 25, 1817. The record 
 of baptisms previous to 1800 has not been kept. Members 
 from the beginning have been 397 — present number 138. 
 Parishioners of the Congregational pastor, of all ages, num- 
 ber 450. Average attendance on public worship of all three 
 of the churches in town is about 300. Amount of annual 
 contributions of the Congregational church and society to 
 benevolent societies is about $ 100. Three young men have 
 been furnished from the town for the ministry. 
 
 There was a revival at the commencement of Mr. Stick- 
 ney's ministry, and in 1801-2, thirty six persons united 
 with the church by profession. The old people speak of this 
 revival as a "solemn time." The state of feeling was deep 
 and permanent. But very few fell away from a good pro- 
 fession. In the year 1817, there was "a great awakening," 
 and the result was, that about ninety persons united with 
 the church. Of this number only about twenty are now 
 living. It is stated in the records of the church that "from 
 the 11th of May to the 29th of June, sixty eight persons 
 here joined this church. Such a time we never saw before. 
 There is no confusion, the Spirit moves upon the minds of 
 the people in all parts of the town." It is now the opinion 
 of many, on looking back to this season, that there was con- 
 siderable unhealthy excitement at that time. About twenty 
 of those who then joined the church, have since been excom- 
 municated. In Mr. Famsworth's day, there were two. sea- 
 sons of more than usual interest. Four-days meetings were 
 held which are remembered as "solemn and interesting sea- 
 sons." A four-days meeting was held in the time of Mr. 
 Eeed, attended by some uncommon interest, and probably 
 by some excitement. Since that time there has been no 
 season remarkable for the displays of reviving grace. 
 
 RYE. 
 
 Rev. Israel T. Otis. * 
 
 This town from its first settlement received the name it 
 now bears, which was given it, as is supposed, because some 
 of its first inhabitants came from a town of the same name 
 in England. It began to be settled about the year 1635.—- 
 The name of the first settler, it is said, was. Berry. "This 
 town which was taken off from Portsmouth, Greenland, 
 
128 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 Hampton and New Castle, continued about ninety years 
 destitute of the settled ministry of tlie gosix^l. The people 
 attended public worship iu the neighboring towns. The in- 
 habitants were but thinly scattered, and most of them in 
 low circumstances, and never began to prosper, in any con- 
 siderable degree, as to outward circumstances, until they 
 erected a house of public worshiji, formed a church, and had 
 the ministry and ordinances of the gospel settled among 
 them. The first Meeting-house was erected in the year 
 1725. A church was organized July 10, 1726. The first 
 minister settled, was Kev. Nathaniel Merrill. He was or- 
 dained Sept. 14, 1726, was a man of acknowledged abilities, 
 both natural and acquired. He continued in the ministry 
 about seven years and was then dismissed." 
 
 " The people now remained destitute several years ; but 
 being desirous of having the gospel ministry re-settled among 
 them, they made laudable exertions to that end. Having 
 heard several candidates, they made choice of Mr. Samuel 
 Parsons. He was ordained Nov. 3, 1736. He officiated in 
 the ministry till the year 1784, nearly half a century." The 
 Rev. Mr. Parsons, though infirm ]jy reason of age, and re- 
 peated paralytic shocks, continued to the 4th of Jan. 1789, 
 in the seventy eighth year of his age, when, as we trust, he 
 entered into the joy of his Lord. During his ministry, 206 
 persons were admitted into full communion with the church 
 and 1600 received the ordinance of baptism. He was a 
 descendant of the family of that name which settled in 
 Springfield, Ms. His father was minister of the first church 
 in Salisbury, Ms, 
 
 Rev. Huntington Porter, son of Rev. Mr. Porter of Bridge- 
 water, Ms. was ordained colleague pastor with Mr. Parsons 
 Dec. 29, 1784, and continued iu the relation of pastor to the 
 church till his death. During his ministry till the time a 
 colleague was settled with him, about 145 were added to the 
 church. He preached his half century sermon in Jan. 1835, 
 and died in Lynn, Ms. March 7, 1844, aged nearly 89. His 
 remains were brought to Rye and were laid by the side of 
 his two wives. Mr. Porter had a large family. By his first 
 marriage ho had four and by his second fourteen children. — 
 Mr. Porter and his predecessor Mr. Parsons, were connected 
 witli the church more than a century. 
 
 The first three ministers were settled by the town. A 
 short time previous to the settlement of a colleague with 
 Mr. Porter, his connection with the town cqased by mutual 
 agreement, and a society was formed, called the 3d Religious 
 society of Rye. It is now called the Congregational society 
 
RYE. 129 
 
 This society, in connection with tlie chnrch, gave a call to 
 the Rev. Bezaleel Smith, and he was ordained ciilleague pas- 
 tor with Mr. Porter May 13th, 1849. After tlie contract 
 between the town and Mr. Porter ceased the town voted that 
 the Congregationalists may have the use of the Meeting- 
 house one half of the time and other denominati<.ins the 
 other half The town also sold the parsonage, whicli had 
 been given by individuals, containing about 40 acres of land, 
 for the acconnnodation and towards the support of the min- 
 istry in the early history of the town, when there was but 
 one religions denomination there, and the avails were appro- 
 priated to the discharge of town debts. Deprived of their 
 Meeting-house one half of the time and their parsi.mage 
 sold, the clnu'ch and those worshiping with them ex])erienced 
 a trial which they had not known before. Mr. Smith com- 
 menced his labors under these circumstances of trial. Dur- 
 ing his ministry of twelve years, there were added to the 
 church 108 ; a parsonage was purchased by subscription at 
 an expense of $ 1400 ; and a Meeting-house built with a 
 basement lecture room, at an expense of more than $3000. 
 These results of severe trial and earnest labor placed the 
 church on a much firmer foundation. He was dismissed, at 
 his own request, in 1841 and installed the same year in Mont 
 Vernon where he remained about nine years, and has since 
 been installed in East Alstead. 
 
 Rev. James F. McEwen succeeded Mr. Smith. lie was 
 installed in Dec. 1841 and dismissed in 1846. Several were 
 received into the church during his ministry of less than five 
 years. He had been settled twice before coming to Rye — in 
 Bridgeport, Vt., and in Topsfield, Ms. He died at Brattle- 
 boro, Vt. He possessed good talents, was a good man, but 
 at times was much depressed. 
 
 Rev. Israel T. Otis succeeded Mr. McEwen. He was or- 
 dained at Lebanon, Conn, in 1835. He came thence to Rye 
 where he was installed Aug. 4, 1847, and is the present pas- 
 tor of the church. The number of the church — about 100, 
 has remained much the same for many years. At jiresent 
 the Sabbath School is quite interesting. Much has been 
 done in the cause of temperance and much remains to bo 
 done. Special Divine iniluences are greatly needed. In the 
 latter part of Mr. Porter's ministry a Baptist and a Metho- 
 dist church and society were formed. The Meeting-houses of 
 the three congregations have been built within 15 years. The 
 average attendance in each house is — Methodist, about 40 — 
 Baptist, 100— Congregational, 175-200. 
 
130 
 
 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 SALEM. 
 Rev, William Page. 
 
 This town was incorporated in 1750. Population in 1775, 
 1084 ; in 1850, 1555. 
 
 The Congregational clnn-ch was organized Jan. 16, 1740. 
 Salem was then a part of Methuen ; or as it was sometimes 
 termed in some of the old writings, " Methuen and Dracut 
 district." It was then called the " North parish in Methu- 
 en," and this was called the second church. In view of so 
 important an event as the organization of a new church, a 
 fast was held to seek divine guidance. At that fast, some 
 five or six of the neighboring clergymen were present. That 
 day seems to have been a day of deep interest to all lovers of 
 Zion in this community. It was the birth day of a new 
 church. A covenant was prepared, signed, and assented to, 
 by thirteen individuals. On the same day the church made 
 choice of Mr. Abner Bailey to be their pastor. The parish, 
 as such, had "made choice of Mr. Bayley as their pastor 
 Nov. 13, 1739," and had voted him a salary of £ 140 in bills 
 of credit, and £ 150 in bills of credit as a free gift, in order 
 for his settlement. The following is Mr. Bailey's answer to 
 the call he had received to become the first pastor of the 
 church : — " Grentlemen of the North or Second Parish in 
 Methuen, Inasmuch as you have given me a call to settle 
 with you in the ministry, I accept of your call, hoping that 
 you will not neglect to minister to my necessities. Abner 
 Bailey. Methuen, Dec. 24, 1739." To the above, the fol- 
 lowing was ap2}endcd : " Gentlemen, inasmuch as you have 
 voted to make an addition to my salary, I relinquish y' 
 vote trusting to your generosity in that case. Abner Bai- 
 ley." Jan. 30, 1740 he was set apart to the pastoral office 
 by laying on of the hands of the Presbytery. " Mr. Barnard, 
 Mr. Parsons, Mr. Balch, Mr. Winget, and Mr. Sargent im- 
 posed hands." After the subject of building a Meeting- 
 house had been considerably discussed , at a parish meeting 
 on the 27th of June, 1738, "it was voted, " To build a Meet- 
 ing-house forty feet long, thirty eight feet wide, and twenty 
 two feet post." The house was erected in 1739. In May, 
 1750, Governor Benning Wentworth, then Commander-in- 
 Chief of the Province of New Hampshire, under king George 
 II., gave the North parish in Methuen a town charter, call- 
 ing it Salem. The church is, therefore, ten or eleven years 
 older than the town. Mr. Bailey continued the acting pas- 
 tor until 1776, when an amicable and final settlement was 
 
SALEM. 131 
 
 made between him and the town. During the time of his 
 pastorate, he is supposed to have baptized more than five 
 hundred "covenanters." Mr. Bailey, on resigning his charge, 
 expressed a strong desire for the spiritual prosperity of the 
 people who had been under his watch and guidance for so 
 long a time. But he enjoyed the society of his able successor 
 but for a short time ; for on the 10th of March, 1798, he 
 died, aged eighty two years. 
 
 At the call of the town and church, Eev. John Smith was 
 ordained, Jan. 4th, 1797, and settled as their pastor. He 
 received, from the town, $300 as a settlement; $300 sub- 
 scribed by private gentlemen, and a salary of $ 300 annually, 
 and fifteen cords of wood, annually brought to his door. He 
 was dismissed Nov. 21, 1816. He was esteemed even by 
 opposers of the truth as an able preacher. He died at Ban- 
 gor, Me., April 7, 1831. 
 
 After Mr. Smith left, the church were without a pastor 
 for three years. 
 
 Eev. William Balch was installed, Dec. 1, 1819, and dis- 
 missed, Aug. 6, 1835. His reinitation as a writer is good. 
 
 For some cause, at the time and even before Mr. Balch 
 was dismissed, the church and society had become very much 
 enfeebled and discouraged. At this period the Methodist 
 church, which had existed some ten or fifteen years, and had 
 worshiped from one to two miles distant, in order to accom- 
 modate the inhabitants of the luliole totvn, organized them- 
 selves into two churches and societies, one erecting a sub- 
 stantial church edifice near the Congregational churcli. The 
 other erected a similar jA&ce of worship in a little village in 
 the north part of the town, four miles distant. These church- 
 es have been in somewhat successful operation to the present 
 time, and, as is hoped, are doing good. 
 
 But though the prospect of a speedy and final dissolution 
 of this church to some seemed so fair, and almost certain, it 
 did not die. Spectators looked on to see the end ; but it 
 continued to breathe, and with more and more freedom, until 
 on the 9th of Sept., 1840, it arose and stood erect. On that 
 day it received its fourth pastor, the Rev. Jonas Fisk. Thus, 
 for five years, the church and society were without a pastor, 
 and a portion of the time without any meeting ; as was the 
 case for a time previous to Mr. Balch's dismission. That a 
 church should continue to exist even, under such circum- 
 stances, is truly indicative of a particular and over-ruling 
 Providence. Mr. Fisk was dismissed by a mutual council, 
 March 8th, 1843. Eev. W. H. Hayward was employed next 
 and continued his labors as stated supply, until June 6th, 
 
132 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 1847. Tlicn followed the Eev. D. H. Babcock, who preached 
 for two years and closed his labors, Sept. 15, 1849. Mr. 
 Bahcock's successor was the Rev. John Lawrence, who con- 
 tinued his work until the summer or autumn of 1852. 
 While here he received a call to be installed as the pastor of 
 the church and society ; and for a time, both he and the 
 people of his charge anticipated the consummation of that 
 relation. But he ultim;itely declined the invitation. 
 
 For a few Sabbaths the pulj^it was occupied by students, 
 or resident hcentiates from the Theological Seminary at An- 
 dover, until the Eev. William Page commenced his ministe- 
 rial labors here on the first Sabbath in December, 1852, and 
 on Dec, 1st, 1853, was installed and continues pastor of the 
 church and society. 
 
 The congregation at the present time on the Sabbath does 
 not often number over 200 even in pleasant weather. A 
 large proportion of them are yoimg people. The present 
 number in tlie church is fifty eight. Ten united during the 
 last year, six by profession of their faith, and four by letter. 
 About one hundred adults and children are connected with 
 the Sabliath School, which continues during the year. Col- 
 lections for the prominent objects of benevolence are now 
 taken up once a year. The church edifice belonging to this 
 society, though not large, is a very pretty structure ; of good 
 proportions, well painted witlxout, and beautifully grained 
 within, with a neat spire, and a fine toned bell. A few rods 
 from the church stands the parsonage. Beside this house and 
 garden, which might be variously estimated as being worth 
 from 1500 to $1000, the society own some forty or fifty acres 
 of land, a mile distant, partially covered with small wood and 
 shrubbery ; and have a permanent fund of $ 1500, given some 
 two or three years ago by Thomas D. Merrill, Escp, of Con- 
 cord. 
 
 SANDOAVN. 
 
 The settlement of the town began in 1736, by Moses 
 Tucker and others. A Congregational church embracing 57 
 members was formed in 1759. Nov. 28, 1759, Eev. Josiah 
 Cotton, a descendant of the renowned John Cotton of Boston, 
 was settled in the gospel ministry, and continued his labors 
 until his death May 27, 1780. Eev. Samuel Colhns, born in 
 Lebanon, Conn, followed him in the ministerial work — was 
 settled Dec. 27, 1780, and dismissed April 30, 1788. Rev. 
 
SEABROOK. 133 
 
 John Webber was settled here March 24, 1795, and dismissed 
 Sept. 15, 1800. At the begiiming of the century Methodism 
 made some progress in the town and Orthod(>xy has luid but 
 shght liokl upon the people for many years — Avith what effect 
 upon their eternal interests time will e^-ince. There is a fund 
 in town for the support of the gospel, and a part of the income 
 is applied in employing Congregational ministers a few Sab- 
 baths each year. Although this church has ceased to live 
 and work, its past labors call for gratitude that it a\ ill never 
 cease to be auiong the things that u-erc, and that were not 
 in vain. Population in 1820, 527; in 1850, 566. 
 
 SEABROOK. 
 
 The grant of to\vns and their settleuiont were rnjt always 
 coeval. Seabrook was settled as early as 1638 by Christo- 
 pher Hussey, Joseph Dow, and Thomas Philbrick. It was 
 granted June 3, 1768. Its name was suggested by the fact 
 that so many rivers and small streams run through it. It 
 is a border town. It has Massachusetts wu the south and 
 the ocean on the east. 
 
 A Presbyterian church was formed here in Nov. 17G4, and 
 Jan. 31, following. Rev. Samuel Perley became their jiastor. 
 Mr. Perley was a Presbyterian, and probalily through his 
 influence that form of church organization was effected. It 
 is reasonable to suppose ho was instrumental in gathering 
 the church, as he must have been among this peo])le some 
 time before his settlement, and that occurr(,'d only three 
 months after the church was formed. He was a member of 
 the "Boston Presbytery" in 1770, and was one of the men 
 who attended the last meetings of "Salem Presbytery" in 
 Massachusetts and in Maine. In 1775 the " Boston Presby- 
 tery" met at Seabrook and was divided into tliree. Mr. 
 Perley then became a member of the "Salem Presliytery." 
 He remained in Seabrook until May 22, 1775, when he was 
 dismissed. There were fourteen added to the church during 
 his ministry. He became pastor in Moultonborougli and also 
 in Groton. In 1784 he was installed by the Presbytery, 
 pastor of the church in Gray, Me., and held the office until 
 1791 when he ceased preaching there and was never re-set- 
 tled. He was a member of the Convention tliat ratified the 
 Federal Constitution of our Union. He remained in Gray 
 until his death, Nov. 28, 1831, at the age of 89 years. 
 
 No settled minister followed Mr. Perley for nearly twenty 
 
134 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 five years. The legitimate result was seen, in the depressed 
 state of morals and of piety in the place. Kev. Seth Noble 
 preached about three years, and others were employed for 
 shorter periods. Some members went to Hampton Falls 
 church. About the year 1799 a new church was formed on 
 Congregational principles, and Rev. Elias Hull was settled 
 as its pastor. He was a native of Tolland, Conn., in 1778. 
 He continued pastor until his death Feb. 28, 1822— a peri- 
 od of tv,'enty two 5'ears. He was unable to preach regularly 
 for some time before his decease and but little preaching was 
 enjoyed for years afterwards. The church became scattered. 
 Some i-em(jved from the place, some died, some went to oth- 
 er den(.)minatious, and two aged sisters went into the new 
 church of which an account will be given in the article fol- 
 lowin"-. 
 
 SEABROOK AND HAMPTON FALLS. 
 
 This is the name of a church composed of members from 
 these two towns. An account of the old churches will be 
 found under the names of the towns. In 1837 Mr. Sereno 
 T. Abbott, a graduate of Amherst in 1833 and of Andover in 
 1836, came among these desolations and awakened a good 
 degree of interest, and on the 12th of July a church was form- 
 ed and lie was ordained as its pastor. Twenty three united 
 in covenant bonds. Rev. J. Ward and Rev. D. Sutherland 
 preached here part of a year before the church was formed. 
 In 1836 they dedicated a new house of worshiji and there had 
 previously been a good degree of interest in religious things. 
 The blessing of God was very manifest upon Mr. Abbott's 
 labors at once. In 1838 there were added 18 by profession 
 and 10 by letter to the church, and in 1839, 23 were added 
 by profession and in 1843 another season of deep) interest was 
 enjoyed, and during that and the followng year 15 were 
 added to the church. There were occasional additions in the 
 years intervening so that in 1845 the church consisted of 85 
 members — a very encouraging increase during the first eight 
 years. Mr Abbott continued his labors amidst many discour- 
 agements to the close of his life in 1855. By emigration 
 and death the church became diminished, so that it now 
 reports but 68 members. Mr. Abbott was a man of great 
 worth and of true piety. His sketch of Hampton Falls, 
 in this work, was one of the latest labors of liis pen, and he 
 entered into the enterprise generally, ^^'ith a most cordial 
 and earnest spirit. 
 
SOUTH HAMPTON. 135 
 
 There was formerly a society of Friends in Seabrook, one of 
 the largest ever existing in the State. It has now nearly 
 disappeared, but the state of mind engendered by its i>ast 
 influence is no small obstacle in the way of evangelical 
 progress. But with a population of 1936 souls in these two 
 towns and with the encouragement to be gained from past 
 success, this field should be carefully cultivated — cid.u-ated 
 with an assured hope of a plentiful harvest. 
 
 SOUTH HAMPTON. 
 
 Incorporated May 25th, 1742. Population in 1820, 416 ; 
 in 1850, 472. In 1743, Feb. 22d, a Congregational church 
 was formed embracing fifteen members, and on the day fol- 
 lowing the people were permitted to " see their teacher," the 
 Rev. Wm. Parsons, who on that day took the oversight of 
 the church. He was a native of Boston, Ms., a son of Har- 
 vard, class of 1735. He was pastor for more than twenty 
 years, until his dismission Oct. 6th, 1762. He died in Jan., 
 1797, aged eighty two years. There were added to the church 
 during his labors 221 persons — a very fruitful ministry for 
 those times. After being dismissed he removed to Gilman- 
 ton and continued to preach, and also engaged in teaching. 
 
 Eev. Nathaniel Noyes, born in Newbuiy, Ms., Aug. 12th, 
 1735, a graduate of Yale in 1759, a student of theology with 
 President Davies, was settled here in 1763, and was pastor 
 until about 1801. Nearly thirty eight years were covered by 
 his term of ser\ace. At the age of seventy five in the year 
 1810 he died at Newburyjwrt. During his labors only sev- 
 enty are known to have become members of the church. 
 The town threw open the Meeting-house to f)ther denomina- 
 tions, according to the desire and in proportion to the amount 
 of taxes paid by the friends of the several systems of doctrine. 
 And as is usual in such cases those who had grown weary of 
 the plain reproofs of orthodoxy joined vnth any thing new 
 that would promise relief from unwelcome present restraints. 
 There has been some good accomplished here by the labors 
 of brethren of other denominations. Rev. Benjamin Sawyer 
 of Amesbury and Salisbury for a series of years often divided 
 to them the word of life ; but they continued to decline until 
 March 20th, 1827, eighty four years from the rise of the 
 church, when he was called to preach at the funeral of the 
 last member, whose name was Ruth Palmer, — a name as 
 worthily recorded here as would be the founder's name were 
 
136 
 
 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 it known. She stood firmly, altliough alone. The records 
 of this church were in the hands of True Morrill, Esq., of 
 Amesbury, Ms., in 1845. John Palmer, Esq., a few years 
 ago, had in his keeping the plates and flagons used by the 
 members of this church "while thev were vet with us." 
 What relics! 
 
 SOUTH NEW MARKET. 
 
 Rev. Wl.VTHEOP FiFIELD. 
 
 This is tlie old church of New Market. The early records 
 of this church are lost ; it is not certain therefore when it 
 was iirst organized. Rev. John Moody, the first minister, 
 was ordained Nov. 25, 1730, and it is supposed that the church 
 was gatliered previtjusly oi' soon after. Mr. Moody died Oct. 
 15, 1778, in the seventy third year of his age and forty eighth 
 of his ministry. In 1773 Rev. Nathaniel Ewers wa.s settled 
 over what was tlten called the West society, there being at 
 that time two societies in town. June 29, 1789, the town 
 "voted to receive and accejit Rev. Mr. Ewers for the whole 
 town, provided the two societies in said town shall unite." 
 March 31, 1794, it was voted by the town " to agree with 
 Mr. Samuel Tomb to preach as an assistant to Mr. Ewers," 
 and in July following a call was given to Mr. Tomb to settle 
 as colleague. Mr. Ewers was dismissed in July 1797, and 
 died 1806. Mr. Tomb was dismissed 1799. The same year 
 in July Mr. James Thurston was invited to preach as a can- 
 didate for settlement, and Oct. 15, 1800 he was ordained. — 
 The 19 th of June previous a church was formed ; and this 
 probably was the union of two churches, one of which at 
 least had existed many years before. In 1801 some meas- 
 ures were taken towards procuring a parsonage, and in 1803 
 those measures were carried into effect. Mr. Thurston was 
 dismissed Jan. 6, 1808. 
 
 The length of the ministry of these successive pastors was 
 as follows : Mr. Moody 48 years, Mr. Ewers 54, Mr. Tomb 5, 
 and Mr. Tliurston 8, making in all 85 years in which this 
 church enjoyed the labors of a continuous pastorate. And 
 it is greatly to be regretted that there are no records to be 
 found, which afford any information as to the success of these 
 early laliorers in this vineyard of the Lord. Yet it is not 
 strange that the records should have been lost ; but it is 
 strange that the church itself, as such, sIkjuM not have been 
 lost also. For more than twenty years subsequent to thC' 
 
SOUTH NEW MARKET. 137 
 
 dismission of Mr. Thurston (1808) there was little if any 
 preaching of the Congregational order in the parish. And 
 for ten years more, there were only occasional supplies. Be- 
 sides, during more than ten or hfteen years from 1808 the 
 " tables were turned," and the Methodists became the 
 " standing order." The town em2:)loyed their i)reachers — 
 voted them the use of their pai'sonage, the Meeting-house 
 and more or less salary year by year. And they lived on 
 the Congregational parsonage, occupied their Meeting-house 
 and used their church sernce for some twenty years. It is a 
 wonder that Congregationalism under such circumstances had 
 not become entirely extinct. Nevertheless the old church 
 lived, though under great discouragements and embarrass- 
 ments, for fifteen or twenty years longer ; yea, it still lives. 
 There were those who were true to their covenant engagements, 
 and who chose to adhere to the doctrines of their fixthers and 
 to walk in the " old paths," until God should again visit 
 them in mercy, and establish and enlarge their borders. — 
 And a few of them were permitted to live to see that day. 
 
 May 27, 1828 a part of the members of this church were 
 dismissed to form a new church at Lamprey River village. — 
 And subsequently for 11 years the ministers of that jiarish 
 frequently had a third ser%nce on the Sabbath or a lecture 
 during the week here ; which labors of love are still remem- 
 bered with grateful interest by this people. The following 
 year (1829) a new society was formed, and ditferent minis- 
 ters were employed to preach to them a few Sabbaths at a 
 time until 1839, when a new Meeting-house was built, and 
 they were supplied with preaching tor six months by the 
 members of the Piscataqua Association. In Feb. 1840, the 
 old church was re-organized, and six individuals were received 
 by letter from the church at Lamprey River, making in all 
 nine members. From May following Rev. John L. Asliby 
 suppHed the pulpit one year. The prospects of the church 
 and society had now assumed a more hojjeful aspect — seven 
 new members were received to the church this year by pro- 
 fession. Three of them were baptized. And on the 15th 
 of Sept. 1841, after having been deprived of so great a favor 
 for more than 33 years, the church was again blessed with 
 the " ascension gift" — a pastor and a teacher. Rev. Elijah 
 W. Tucker was then ordained to this office among them, 
 whose ministry for about four years was owned of God to 
 their edification and enlargement. During this time thirteen 
 were added to the church by profession and three by letter. 
 In 1843 there were nine adult baptisms ; in '44, one. Mr. 
 Tucker was dismissed in Aug. 1845, and the Sept. following 
 10 
 
138 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 Eev. Preston Pond was engaged to supply for one year. — 
 Subsequently Eev. Edwin Holt supplied the pulpit on the 
 Sabbath for six months. Besides tlis there was but occa- 
 sional preaching until 1851, when Kev. Charles E. Lord sup- 
 phed one year. 
 
 Feb. 15, 1852, Kev. Winthrop Fifield commenced laboring 
 hero, and has continued to do so to the present time. Under 
 his ministry four have united with the church. The society 
 have purchased nine acres of excellent land, and erected upon 
 it a substantial and convenient set of l:)uildings for a parson- 
 age, at an expense in all of about $ 2500 ; and in this, and 
 some other respects, the state of things in this parish is at 
 present more hopeful and encouraging than for several years 
 before. 
 
 STRATHAM. 
 
 Rev. John M. Steele. 
 
 This town Avas chartered in the year 1716. The first legal 
 town meeting was held on the 10th of April of the same 
 year. At this meeting, the first vote, after the election of 
 town officers, was to appoint five individuals "to be a com- 
 mittey to take care to Build a meeting house for the pubhc 
 worshipe of God in said town. And they are in full Power 
 to hiear workemen to carry on the worke and to finish it. — 
 And for what money they want or Disburse about the worke 
 the Seleockemen are in full power to Eaise it for the Same." 
 Several other votes were passed in relation to this matter at 
 the first town meeting, and other meetings were held during 
 the year for the same purpose, showing the importance 
 which the citizens generally attached to the public worship 
 of Grod. 
 
 At a meeting held Oct. 4, 1716, it was voted, "That eve- 
 ry man In the town Shall Bare his one charge toards the 
 Eaising of the said meeting house." There were nine indi- 
 Aiduals who "entred thare decents" against tliis vote. Jan. 
 2, 1717, they appointed a committee to "troet with a min- 
 ister and give him a call to Preach in the town three or four 
 Saboathes By way of contrebutione." March 25, 1717, they 
 voted, "that mr. Rust shall preach in the town If he be 
 willing for it a quarter or halfe a year ; " and then appointed 
 "a committey to treate with mr. Rust and give him a call 
 to Set up the Public worship of God for a time In order to 
 a full Setelment in the town." At a subsequent meeting in 
 
STEATHAM. 139 
 
 the month of April they appointed a committee "to agree 
 with a minister for Said town during liis life if the cometeay 
 and he can agree." It appears from a report made by tliie 
 committee that they "socceeded and agreed with mr. Henry 
 Kust to settl amongst" them "so longe as he continued in 
 the office on the terms as foUoweth." These terms were 
 £60 the first year, £70 the second, and £80 the third, 
 wliich was to he a stated salary. They also agreed to give 
 him £100 "toards building of Him a house," to be paid in 
 four years; they engaged also, "to clear and fence parte of 
 the towns Parsonage land with convenient speede." This 
 agreement was satisfied the "24rth day of April, Anoy. 
 Domi ; 1717." Mr. Eust was ordained in the year 1718 with 
 the understanding that as long as he preached in Stratham 
 he was to receive in addition to his salary "Six Pounds in 
 money yearly to bye his fire wood withall. 
 
 The Meeting-house was built the same year, 1718. It 
 was after the fashion of the oldest Meeting-houses now 
 standing in the State, of wliich we believe there are but 
 two or three; the pews being "built with winscot worke 
 and all of a kind." [The preservation of one of tliese old 
 houses would be a worthy object for some voluntary associa- 
 tion formed for the purpose.] Each man was obliged to 
 build his own pew ; keep it in repair ; to maintain all the glass 
 against it ; and he must build too on the spot assigned him. 
 There was, however, one exception to this, for the t(3wn of 
 Stratham solemnly voted, "that Mr. Andrew Wiggiu shall 
 have Leberty to set in what seat ho pleaseth in the meeting 
 house." These were times in which it was deemed expedi- 
 ent to deal somewhat rigorously in order to keeip down the 
 carnal aspirations of the natural man. In pursuance of this 
 worthy object the town voted, doubtless with becoming- 
 solemnity, "that when the cometey have seatid the meeting 
 house every person that is Seatid shall Set in those Seats or 
 pay five shillings Pir day for every day they set out of there 
 Seates in a disorderly manner to advaince themselves higher 
 in the meeting house." These were trying times ! But 
 there was a tenderness in men's hearts even then. For in 
 1734 the town voted "that the Keverent mr. HenryRust 
 Shall be considered for his sickness in his fameley and the 
 Deth of his wife by way of contrebution." Mr. Rust contin- 
 ued to be the pastor of this people until liis death, which 
 occurred 1749, making a ministry of thirty one years. With 
 what success his ministry was attended, we cannot tell, there 
 being no record to show, and there is no man whose memory 
 runneth to that distant day. 
 
140 
 
 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 There was a divisiijn among the people about the year 
 1742, which seems to have arisen from a difference of opinion 
 respecting the "great awakening," or, as Edwards called it, 
 " The Kevival of Keligion in Kew England in 1740." This 
 was in Whitefield's day; he was at Northampton, Ms., in 
 1740. It is probable that Mr. East did not sympathize 
 with the religious excitement of that time, in which a con- 
 siderable portion of his people agreed with him. But there 
 were many others who were warm friends of the revival and 
 who were, therefore, disj)leased Avith the course 2)ursued by 
 Mr. Kust. Some of these disaffected persons requested the 
 selectmen to call a town meeting, because, as they said, 
 "there is such uneasiness in many of the people in this town 
 under the Keverend mr. Rust's ministry that they are oblig- 
 ed to go to other towns on Sabbath days to hear the word 
 of God preached to them more agreeable to the wonderfull 
 outpowering of God's Spirit of late." The object of tliis 
 meeting was to apj^oint a committee to agree with some one 
 to preach to them half of each Sabbath, who was "a frend 
 to, and a subject of the wonderfull outpowering of God's 
 Spirit at this day." These proceedings, of course, did not 
 meet the approliation of Mr. Rust or his friends, and they 
 protested against them. But those who were dissatisfied 
 with Mr. Rust persevered in their j^urpose to have another 
 minister, and sometime in 1743 they employed "Mr, Dud- 
 ley Leavitt," who preached to them S(jme months ; they 
 afterwards, in March 1745, voted "mr. Dudley Leavitt a 
 minister to preach the gospel in Stratham." What became 
 of this minister does not appear, and the only allusion to 
 him after the vote to settle him, is in connection with "that 
 case in law that was brought against mr. Dudley Leavitt." 
 
 The second pastor of this peo})le was the Rev. Joseph Ad- 
 ams who was employed in the year 1745, though he preach- 
 ed to the people as early as 1742. The ordination of Mr. 
 Adams seems to have been delayed by a petition which was 
 presented to the general court by the friends of Mr. Rust, 
 praying the assembly to interfere and prevent the settlement 
 of another minister in town. The petition was not granted, 
 and in March 20, 1747, Mr. Adams was ordained. Mr. 
 Adams engaged to "take on him the pastoral care and 
 charge of a church, and cast himself on the Lord and depend 
 on him for what he shall incline the people to give him for 
 his support." The first covenant of this church was adopted 
 in the second year of Mr. Adams' ministry, 1746, and was 
 subscribed by forty five individuals. The call and reply of 
 Mr. Adams are worthy of imitation. The simplicity and 
 
STKATHAM. 141 
 
 dii'ectness with which the business is transacted is certainly 
 preferable to the more wordy fashion of the jtresent time. 
 We should be cjlad to copy them here, but our limits forbid. 
 
 Mr. Eust died March 20, 1749, aged 63 years. This was 
 four years after Mr. Adams was called. There were, there- 
 fore, two meetings held by the same church, for several years. 
 Mr. Adams and his friends held their meetings in a private 
 house. A few years after the death of Mr. Rust, the two 
 parties in the church made mutual concessions, drew up 'a 
 "paper of union" which they signed, and referred the whole 
 to a council of neighboring ministers and churches. This 
 was in Jan. 1756. June 24 of the same year Mr. Adams 
 was installed over the whole town. There were but twenty 
 male members of the church at this time if all signed the 
 " paper of union." Mr. Adams records two hundred thirty 
 four baptisms up to the year 1761, after which he made no 
 record of any description. In 1765 there were eighty eight 
 church members. The second Meeting-house was built on 
 the same spot with the first in the year 1768, It was larger 
 than the first, being " sixty three feet long and forty five wide, 
 with a steeple." During Mr. Adams' ministry a difficulty 
 occurred respecting the singing in church. The singers 
 wished to breakup the old habit of "Hning," as it was call- 
 ed — the deacon reading one hue at a time for the choir to 
 sing. It was settled by a compromise. The town voted 
 that the deacon should "line" half the time. They had the 
 bass-\'iol in those days, and the deacon said, they had "got 
 a fiddle into the church as big as a hogs-trough." 
 
 Mr. Adams' last sermons were preached Oct. 26, 1783. 
 He died Feb. 24, 1785. His regular ministry was thirty 
 eight years ; it continued through the most trying period of 
 tliis country's history. His salary was regularly paid until 
 his death, though it is impossible to define its amount, 
 owing to the depreciation of money. 
 
 The third pastor of this church was Eev. James Miltimore 
 who was ordained Feb. 1, 1786. Mr. Miltimore records 
 seventy six admissions to the church. In 1800 the number 
 of church members was sixty two. Mr. Miltimore was dis- 
 missed Oct. 16, 1807, making a ministry of nearly twenty 
 two years. He seems to have left in opposition to the wish- 
 es and judgment of the people. The reason assigned by 
 himself was a visible declension of religious interest among 
 the people, and the gradual falling off of his congregation. 
 The influence of his dismission upon the church is thought 
 to have been bad. After Mr. Miltimore's dismission, there 
 follows an interim of seventeen years, during which time, or 
 
142 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 a part of it, this seems to have been missionary ground. 
 We find in this connection the names of the following min- 
 isters who occasionally preached here : Kev S. W. Wheelock, 
 Curtis Coe, Mr. Metcalf, Mr. Homer, N. Creasey, and J. 
 Miltimore, former pastor. During this period a new Cove- 
 nant of Faith was adopted, in connection with which we find 
 the name of Kev. Wm. Greenough. The records show but 
 nine admittances to the church, and eleven baptisms. 
 
 The fourth pastor of this people was Eev. Jacob Cum- 
 mings, who was ordained April 28, 1824. Mr. Cummings 
 found the church in a very low condition. By patient and 
 persevering labor he raised it to a good degree of prosperity. 
 During a ministry of nearly eleven years he admitted forty 
 two individuals to the church, and baptized forty seven. 
 Mr. Cummings was dismissed at his own request, Dec. 23, 
 1834. "A variety of circumstances" led to this result ; but 
 chiefly the impression on Mr. Cummings' own mind, "that 
 his usefulness in this place had been rather lessening than 
 increasing for a considerable time past." The following tes- 
 timony to the good conduct of the church and society was 
 given, on the dismission of Mr. Cummings, by Dr. French 
 of North Hampton, a venerable and beloved father, who 
 is still with us, to encourage us by his presence and assist 
 us with his counsel : "The church and society, considering 
 their very small numbers, have, in the opinion of the council, 
 made pecuniary efforts which liave been surpassed by few, 
 if any, of the societies around them. And while it is consid- 
 ered highly important that the standard of Christian self- 
 denial, sacrifice and exertion, should be greatly raised in 
 every society, it is apprehended that this church, in propor- 
 to their numbers and means, have not fallen behind, and in 
 some respects have exceeded many others in their endeavors 
 to sustain the gospel at home and to send it abroad. Nor 
 can the council fail to commend this church and society gen- 
 erally for the confidence they have reposed in their minister 
 and the respect they have manifested toward him, as well as 
 their regard for the ministry, and the institutions of religion 
 in general." Tliis testimony would be equally just at the 
 present time. 
 
 During Mr. Cummings' ministry a proposition was made 
 to make room in the orchestra for the double bass-viol. One 
 of the older members of the society remarked that they had 
 been to him, "to cut a place in the Meeting-house to let in 
 Dagon, but he wouldn't have anytliing to do with it." The 
 church was now left destitute two years. 
 
 The fifth pastor was Eev. Wm. Newman, who was ordain- 
 
STRATHAM. 143 
 
 ed Nov. 2, 1836. The church prospered under Mr. Newman. 
 There was an interesting revival in 1842. He admitted to 
 the church by profession, between thirty and forty indi\adu- 
 als. In the latter part of the ministry the society paid a 
 tax of three-fourtlis of one per cent, of their invoice. Mr. 
 Ne^vman was dismissed May 20, 1849, making a ministry 
 of about twelve and a half years. The cause of his removal 
 is said to have been, a conviction on his part that some indi- 
 viduals were disaifected. He died soon after. The effect 
 of the change upon the church was supposed not to be good. 
 The third Meeting-house was dedicated Nov. 8, 1837, on the 
 original site, and is now in use. Here follows another sea- 
 son of destitution of nearly five years, during wliich the 
 church employed a "stated supply," Rev. Mr. Whittemore, 
 only one year and a half There is no church record during 
 this period. There were no conversions. The congregation 
 became scattered during tliis period, and early in the year 
 1853, the church and society experienced a great loss in the 
 death of Dr. Josiah Bartlett, who was instantly killed in the 
 "Norwalk disaster." 
 
 The sixth and present pastor of this church, Eev. J. M. 
 Steele, was installed Nov. 30, 1853. During the last year 
 the congregation has greatly increased, showing the advan- 
 tage of having a settled pastor. Nine persons have been 
 received into the church, five by letter, and four by profess- 
 ion. The society's tax has been one per cent, of their invoice. 
 The salary has been paid in quarterly installments, \vith 
 great promptness, thus far, a few days before it was due. 
 This society has a good parsonage, and a fund of about 
 $ 1200. About one-fourth of the population of the town 
 belong to this parish. The church is in a very prosperous 
 condition, compared with forty years ago. There has also 
 been vast improvement in general society. A former pastor 
 remarked a few weeks since, that the parish, and the whole 
 town, had improved 100 per cent, in every 7-e.spect, in the 
 last twenty years. There was a "revival" last spring con- 
 nected with the Baptists in a series of meetings held by Mr. 
 Peacock. We, however, consider the measures resorted to 
 by this individual of very doubtful utility. The present 
 Congregational society was incorporated in 1814. 
 
144 EOCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 WINDHAM. 
 
 Pres. Chubch— Rev. Loken Thavee. 
 
 The inhabitants of this town are for the most part descen- 
 dants of the true Scotch Irish colony which settled in Lon- 
 donderry in the year 1719. Windham is situated within the 
 original limits of that colony, and was set off into a distinct 
 parish or town in the year 1742. Previous to this time, the 
 people attended meeting in the East and West parishes of 
 Londonderry. As soon as the new parish was erected, the 
 3d article of the Town Warrant was, " To see what method 
 you will take, in order to have the gospel preached to us." 
 It was voted " to raise £80 for the maintenance of the gos- 
 pel the present year." "Voted, that Nathaniel Hemphill 
 attend the Presbytery at Boston to hier a supply to preach 
 the gospel to us." 
 
 In July, 1742, the town voted a call to Mr. William John- 
 son to settle wth them upon a salary of £150, and £150 
 settling money. He was not installed, however, till 1747, 
 and then with the salary of £ 200, and £ 300 settlement, and 
 the use of the parsonage. He ordained three ruling elders. 
 In 1753, Mr. Johnson was dismissed from his pastoral charge 
 for the want of support. The next year, a Meeting-house 
 having been erected, the parish, by their commissioner Elder 
 David G-regg, applied to the Synod of Philadelphia for a 
 minister, and obtained Eev. John Kinkead, who was installed 
 October, 1760, with a nominal salary of £ 1300 old tenor, 
 £ 6 being worth one dollar. The same amount was given as 
 a settlement, and £1000 to transport liim. He ordained 
 nine ruling elders. Though Mr. Kinkead possessed respec- 
 table talents and accpiirements as a preacher, yet, not main- 
 taining a Christian and ministerial character, he soon lost 
 the confidence and respect of his people, and was dismissed 
 in 1765. 
 
 Soon after his dismission the parish presented a call to 
 Mr. Simon Williams, who was ordained in December, 1766, 
 by the Boston Presbytery. His salary was £ 70 annually — 
 in value, lawful money, two hundred and thirty three dollars 
 and thirty three cents — and a settlement of £60, or two 
 hundred dollars, with the use of the parsonage. His minis- 
 try continued twenty seven years, till Nov. 10, 1793, when 
 lie died, aged sixty four years. Mr. Williams and liis wife 
 were natives of Ireland ; they went to the West Indies and 
 were married there. He remained there some time as a 
 teacher, then removed to Philadelphia and was hopefully 
 
WINDHAM. 145 
 
 converted under the preaeliing of Eev. Gilbert Tennent. 
 After teaching in Maryland and New Jersey a few years, he 
 came to this place, and remained till his death. He was 
 highly respected and esteemed l^y neighboring ministers and 
 churches. He was eminent as a classical scholar, and opened 
 a 23rivate academy soon after his ordination, which was con- 
 tinned during the most of his }ninistry. Under his tuition 
 many young men were fitted for college. His academy was 
 commenced before Dartmciuth college was founded, and some 
 ten or twelve years before Exeter, and Atkinson, and New 
 Ipswich academies existed. It sometimes contained forty or 
 fifty scholars, and was resorted to by many students from 
 Boston, and other large places. This school was of great 
 service to this place, and to neighboring towns, before other 
 schools had commenced. It was an important tributary of 
 Dartmouth college. In the fourth class which was graduated 
 there, in 1774, consisting of eight members, one half, proba- 
 bly, were fitted in this school. They were from Londonder- 
 ry ; and Joseph McKean, and Samuel Taggart, are remem- 
 bered as his pupils, by some of the oldest inhabitants of the 
 place. The former was the first President of Bowdoin col- 
 lege ; the latter was the distinguished citizen and divine of 
 Coleraine, Ms. He is remembered as the scholar of double 
 consciousness, and it is related of him, that while fitting for 
 college, he was attending at prayers, but was reported as 
 playing with a fly during all the service. On being called to 
 account by Mr. Williams, he could not remember his })laying 
 with the fly, but could repeat verbatim almost the whole 
 prayer, which was quite lengthy, and unusually interesting. 
 A similar instance is reported of him in after life. While he 
 was deeply engaged in ofiering prayer, with his eyes open, he 
 watched a carriage coming up to the Meeting-house, and 
 turned completely around in the desk with his eyes fixed 
 upon the carriage ; but afterwards he did not remember that 
 he had moved at all, or that he had seen any object. He 
 faithfully served his country, and was long useful in the 
 ministry. This academy did an important work in the 
 church, at a very early period, and hence deserves to be 
 commemorated. Although Mr. Williams was subject to a 
 partial derangement of mind during the latter part of his 
 life, he stiU continued the discharge of his pastoral duties 
 until his death. He died Ijeloved by the people of his charge, 
 who readily cast the mantle of charity over his eccentricities 
 and frailties. He added seven only to the eldership, fir the 
 space of twenty seven years. His wife survived him twelve 
 years, and it is written upon their tombstone, " They were 
 
146 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 ushered to life the same hour in Feb. 19th, 1729. Trim, in 
 the county of Meath, in Ireland, had the honor of their birth. 
 This jilace is made sacred by their dust." 
 
 In 1798 a new Meeting-house was built near the center of 
 the town, in which there was preaching by stated supi:)lies, 
 for twelve years, when Mr. Samuel Harris was ordained their 
 pastor, by the Londonderry Presbytery, Oct. 9th, 1805. He 
 continued his labors for twenty years, when his voice failed, 
 and lie was dismissed by mutual consent. He afterwards 
 recovered his voice and preached in various places, but he 
 resided in town till his death, Sept. 6th, 1846, in the seventy 
 fourth year of his age. His ministry was successful in build- 
 ing up the church, and in bringing it to a higher standard of 
 piety and Christian disciphne. It was blessed with a power- 
 ful revival of religion in 1822, which was the first general 
 revival occurring in town. Of this work it is remarked, that 
 the whole community seemed moved ; every family was 
 stirred, and it seemed as if the people would go to meeting 
 continually ; and the objector expressed his fears that the 
 crops would not be attended to. A large number were 
 gathered into the church, which from that time became deci- > 
 dedly evangelical, and reformed from its former Armenian l* 
 tendencies. Mr. Harris' salary was four hundred dollars. 
 The twelve years previous to his settlement was occupied by 
 stated supplies, which was owing, no doubt, to a violent con- 
 tention respecting the location of the new Meeting-house, 
 which resulted in severing from the congregation a number 
 of families in the south east part of the town. 
 
 In April, 1828, Eev. Calvin Cutler, late of Lebanon, was 
 installed pastor of the Presbyterian church and society, and 
 continued his ministry till his death, which took place in 
 Feb. 19th, 1844, in the fifty third year of his age. His sal- 
 ary was four hundred and fifty dollars. In the year 1831, a 
 revival of religion took place in connexion with a protracted 
 meeting, which was very powerful. Mr. Cutler writes of it 
 thus : " Some special divine favor appeared among this peo- 
 ple the last of July, but the work was silent in its progress, 
 till the protracted meeting in October. Some weeks before 
 the meeting, several persons had hoped in the mercy of God, 
 and more were under religious impressions, and the people 
 were looking forward to the coming meeting with strong 
 expectations. This season was attended by powerful divine 
 influences, and it is probable that fifty persons indulged a 
 Christian hope within the space of one week." It was esti- 
 mated that one hundred individuals were the subjects of the 
 revival. During this ministry, there arose a severe conten- 
 
WINDHAM. 147 
 
 tion between the town and the Presbyterian society respect- 
 ing the nse of the Meeting-house and the ministerial fund. 
 The Society chximed the entire iise of the house and the fund, 
 as they had always enjoyed it. The town finally voted to 
 exclude the society from the entire use of the house, and to 
 allow the Methodist and Unitarian societies the partial use 
 of it. The town also obtained a decision of the Court, that 
 the fund, belonging to the town, should be used, as each tax 
 payer might assign his proportion of it to the different socie- 
 ties. For ten years, nearly half the income of the fund was 
 applied for Methodist and Unitarian preaching ; but of late, 
 the fund is returning to its original channel. The fund 
 amounts to about $2000, which was given to the parish in 
 land, by Mr. James Wilson, an original proprietor of Lon- 
 donderry, before the town was incorporated, and given for 
 the support of the gospel merely. The Presbyterians, upon 
 this vote of the town, immediately retired from the old 
 Meeting-house, and built a new one, not far distant, wliich 
 they still occupy. It was built in 183.5. The old house is 
 used for a town house, and has been occupied for preaching 
 some three months in the year, till within three or four years. 
 Mr. Cutler ordained ten ruling elders. He was a good man, 
 and Grod has cared for his children. 
 
 In Nov. 5th, 1845, Mr. Loren Thayer was ordained his 
 successor, with a salary of five hundred dollars, and still con- 
 tinues the pastor. Every minister of the to^vn, so far as is 
 known, has o"ftaied a small farm, and used the income of it, 
 besides his salary. These ministers have been accustomed 
 to die among their people, and to be buried with them. The 
 average number ot the congregation is something more than 
 250, and the last census gives 818, as the number of inhalj- 
 itants in to-rni ; and the last Bible >Society survey reports 
 185 families. There are very few of these "families that do 
 not occasionally attend meeting. The number of the church 
 has been as high as 200 ; but now it is only 134. The state 
 of morals, however, may be considered higher than it was 
 formerly, and, as to intemperance and other evil habits, the 
 public sentiment perhaps was never so correct, as at present. 
 The cause of education in our common schools never before 
 received so much attention. Contributions to benevolent 
 objects are increasing. For the last few years, they have 
 averaged about three hundred dollars annually. 
 
 The religious character of this people has generally weU 
 represented the plain, honest, rough, and uncompromising 
 spirit of John Knox, the reformer of their countrymen. 
 They are highly conservative, and experience little injury 
 
148 EOCKINGHAM COUNTY. 
 
 from the presence or influence of fanaticism. Amid the 
 novelties of the age. and divisions surrounding them, and 
 while even the first church* of their colony has swerved a lit- 
 tle, they adhere to the purity of their fathers' worship. Says 
 the " Kustic Bard" to a friend who was writing his charac- 
 ter: " You threaten to expose my foibles, and to point at my 
 orthodoxy. This matter I hope you will handle with the 
 greatest tenderness and delicacy. My orthodoxy has been 
 handed down to me, by my progenitors, as the Urim and 
 Timmmim, held sacred by the family, ever since the Refor- 
 mation from Popery in Scotland." This is the feeling with 
 which the great part of this people cling to the standards of 
 their church ; and as there is little entrance among them of a 
 foreign population, they may long retain their worthy traits 
 of character. 
 
 * Reference is here mnde 10 the First Church in Deiry whicli has adopted a mixed form 
 of church polity. [See History of thatc]iurch.] 
 
|illskr0ug| €m\\\b. 
 
 ANTEIM. 
 
 Pre;. Church. — Rev. Joif.v H. B>vtE;=. 
 
 The town was incorjDorated March 22cl, 1777, and was 
 named after a county in Ireland. In 1820 it had a popula- 
 tion of 1330, and in 1850, 1143. The tirst man who estab- 
 lished himself as a settler here was Dea. James Aiken in 
 1768. Nearly four years his family was the only one in 
 town. The town yoted to request Rev. Mr. Morrison, and 
 he was appointed by the Presbytery of Londonderry to come 
 and visit the people, and if he found the way open, to organ- 
 ize a church on Presbyterian princi[iles. He accordingly 
 gathered a church in due tbrm in August, 1788. It embraced 
 sixty members. The popidation was less than five hundred 
 at the time. We cannot but note the extent of piety among 
 the people and the fact that so much rcsjiect for the Chris- 
 tian religion should pervade the inhabitants, that they would 
 entertain harmoniously a proposition, in a tmvn mceti'ng, to 
 have a Christian church established among tJiem. 
 
 They were not successful however in securing a permanent 
 ministry tmtil Sept. 3d, 1800, when Eev. Walter Fullertou 
 was ordained their bishop or pastor. His native place was 
 Peterborough ; he was a graduate of Dartmouth in the class 
 of 1796. He sustained the pastoral relation only four years. 
 He settled in Hebron, N. Y., and remained a few years, and 
 in 1815, in Maryland, deceased. 
 
 After nearly four years Piev. John M. Wliiton, D.D. was 
 duly set over the church by the Presbytery. He was born 
 at Winchendon, Ms., Aug. 1, 1785, a son of Yale in 1805, 
 and ordained Sept. 28, 1808. He continued in office until 
 Jan. 1, 1853, when he resigned his charge. Seasons of spec- 
 ial manifestation of the gi-ace of God in revivals were enjoyed 
 during his ministry, in the years 1816, 1827, 1831, 1836 and 
 1851. In 1832 tliirty nine persons were added to the church 
 as the fruit of the revival of the previous year. In 1851 
 thirty six were added. At the age of sixty eight Dr. Whi- 
 ten felt the cares and labors of liis parish, which extended 
 
150 HILLSBOEOUGH COUNTY. 
 
 over a largo and hilly territory, too much for him to endure, 
 and with the kindliest feelings toward his people requested 
 to be released from his labors among them. He is now em- 
 ployed in the neighboring town of Bennington. He stands 
 among the fathers in the ministry, loved and honored. He 
 is now engaged in writing the History of Presbyterianism in 
 New England. 
 
 Kev. John H. Bates is Dr. Whiton's successor in office. 
 He was ordained pastor— or as the Presbyterian Confession 
 of Faith and the Sacred writers use the term as a synony- 
 mous one— bishop of the church in Antrim, March 16th, 
 1853, with prospects of comfort and usefulness in his work. 
 He has a salary of $500. The present number of the church 
 is 174. 
 
 AMHERST. 
 
 Tlie township of Amherst, originally called Souhegan 
 West, was assigned to one hundred and twenty grantees, a 
 majority of whom resided in Salem, Lynn, Andover, and 
 other iowns of Essex county, Ms. The first meeting of 
 these grantees was at Salem in July 1734, and in the fol- 
 lowing year we find that settlements had been made by fam- 
 ilies from that vicinity. A primary object in the grants of 
 most townships at that period was the establishment of the 
 gospel ministry. In all the Narragansett grants, in wliich 
 Souhegan West was included, was a condition " that the 
 proprietors should settle a learned, orthodox minister within 
 seven years." In Feb. 1738, the proprietors voted to erect 
 a Meeting-house, forty five feet long by thirty five feet wide, 
 which vote was carried into effect the following year. In 
 Dec. 1738, they voted that the inhabitants receive £ 20 from 
 the treasury " toward their having the word of God preached 
 among them for the ensuing six months." They subsequent- 
 ly appropriated fifty shillings to the settlers for every Sab- 
 bath they should have preaching among them. 
 
 The church was organized on the 22d of Sept. 1741, by the 
 adoption of a simple covenant in which they devoted them- 
 selves to God, and promised to walk together in the obser- 
 vance of his word and ordinances. It comprised seven 
 persons, viz: Daniel Wilkins pastor elect, Samuel Leman, Is- 
 rael Towne, Samuel Lampson, Caleb Stiles and Humphrey 
 Hobbs. On the following day Rev. Daniel Wilkins was or- 
 dained pastor of the church. Rev. Nathaniel Henchman of 
 Lynn, Ms. was moderator of the council, and Rev. Stephen 
 
AMHERST. 151 
 
 Chase of Lynn preached the sermon. Six females wcic then 
 received to church membership. Rev. Mr. Wilkina was from 
 Middleton, in Ms. He received his education at Harvard 
 where he was graduated in 1736. He was a man of respec- 
 table talents, and contributed greatly to the prosperity of 
 the town. Though the clergy in his day did not possess the 
 influence of the early ministers of New England, yet they 
 were regarded with great reverence and respect. In the 
 early periods of the church, there subsisted a close connec- 
 tion between the civil and ecclesiastical orders of the State. 
 Various causes operated at times to diminish the influence 
 of the Christian minister. As new settlements were made, 
 parishes were multiphed. The means of subsistence and of 
 knowledge to the pastors of these little flocks were necessa- 
 rily narrow ; and they not unfrequently complained that 
 they prophesied in sackcloth. Want of knowledge and of 
 wealth was, consequently, want of power. Yet, with all 
 their poverty, and the disadvantages of their situation, they 
 possessed their full share of talents and virtue, and were 
 therefore not to be contemned nor neglected. They remem- 
 bered the views of those who planted New England, and if 
 they had not the learning, they were still animated with the 
 spirit of their predecessors. Though the civilians of that 
 day acknowledged and revered their piety, yet they provided 
 with a jealous eye against the increase of liierarchal rule. — 
 So that the churches, notwithstanding their professions and 
 boasts of independency, were actually under a kind of politi- 
 cal control ; and on the contrary, through the influence of 
 the clergy, "magistrates, who were annually elected, were 
 occasionally displaced when they were thought to have 
 infringed upon the rights of the church.'' For several years 
 after the settlement of Mr. Wilkins the inhabitants of this 
 place experienced the clay of small things. They were una- 
 ble to contribute to his support in a manner suited to his 
 clerical character. On this account he was sometimes pressed 
 into services incompatible with his sacred profession. He 
 assisted in subduing the wilderness, while he administered 
 to the spiritual wants of his parishioners. The works of 
 Owen, Hammond, and other distinguished divines of the 
 seventeenth century, were to be found in his library. He 
 died Feb. 11, 1784, in the 73d year of his age. His minis- 
 try embraced a period of thirty eight years and a half — 
 Number of admissions to the church not known. Baptisms, 
 240. For several of the last years of his life he was unable 
 to perform the duties of his office on account of bodily in- 
 firmities. Six years before the death of Mr. Wilkins, the 
 
152 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. 
 
 church and town gave an invitation to Mr. John Blyden- 
 burgh to settle as colleague pastor, offering £ 200 as a settle- 
 ment, and an annual salary of £ 100, but the invitation was 
 not accepted. Soon after, a call was given to Rev. Edmund 
 Foster of Littleton, Ms., which was also unsuccessful. 
 
 In 1779, the church and town extended an invitation to 
 Rev. Jeremiah Barnard, of Bolton, Ms. The call however 
 was not unanimous, several circumstances existing,unfavorahle 
 to the settlement of a colleague, — the principal of which was 
 the opposition of two distinct sections of the town, which 
 were desirous of becoming separate parishes. Though a 
 respectable majority was in tavor of liis settlement, yet there 
 was a considerable number in the north west part of the 
 town who entered their protest in which they declared that 
 they should object to the settlement "of any other minister 
 while they remained in ciinjunction with the town and their 
 request not granted." This matter being adjusted, Mr. 
 Barnard accepted the call and was ordained on the third day 
 of March. Rev. Zabdiel Adams of Limenburgh preached from 
 Matthew 10 : 16. Rev. Ebenezer Bridge of Chelmsford gave 
 the charge ; Rev. Daniel Emerson of Hollis expressed the 
 fellowship of the churches. From the ordination of Rev. 
 Mr. Barnard to the year 1816, the records of the church do 
 not present any very remarkable transaction. During this 
 periiid, two churches were formed, one in the north west part 
 of the town, over which was ordained Rev. John Bruce, from 
 Marlborough, Ms. ; the other in the south west part of the 
 town, which did not receive a minister till after this portion of 
 the town was incorporated by the name of Milford. 
 
 In 1815, efforts were made toward settling a colleague 
 with Rev. Mr. Barnard, whose parochial duties had for some 
 considerable time been very arduous and, during the sickness 
 of 1814,evidently impaired his health. Perceiving the import- 
 ance of adopting measures which might lesson his labors, the 
 inhabitants chose a committee, Sept. 18, 1815, to consult with 
 him and ascertain upon what terms he would consent to have 
 a colleague settle with him in the ministry. On the 30th of 
 Oct. Mr. Barnard made a communication on the subject, 
 through the committee, in which he thanked the town for their 
 politeness in consulting him on a subject so closely connected 
 with their peace and happiness. In consideration of the 
 extent and arduousness of his professional duties coupled with 
 diminished ability in his "wintry age ;" and having a desire 
 that his people might be better furnished with the means of 
 Christian edification and instruction, he expressed not only a 
 willingness but a pleasure in relinquisliing one half of his 
 
& 
 
 AMHERST. 153 
 
 salary when they should settle a colleague with liiui, who 
 would assume his duties. 
 
 Mr. Barnard's ministry to the time of the settlement of a 
 colleague pastor ynth him, emhraced a period of a little more 
 than thirty six years. During this time, 253 persons were 
 admitted to full communion in the church, ginning on an av- 
 erage seven each year. Several others owned the covenant, 
 as it is recorded, and had their children haptized, although 
 they came not to the Lord's talile. This practice seems to 
 have ohtained from the organization of this church, and to 
 have continued until 1811, after which tlie church records 
 are silent ujion it. The number of Ijaptisms during twenty 
 nine years of his ministry, to wit, from March 3, 1780 to Jan. 
 11, 1809, was 673. He was graduated at Harvard college 
 in 1773. He died Jan. 15, 1835, aged 84, nearly fifty five 
 years from the time of his ordination. 
 
 In the beginning of the year 1816, the cliurch and tow7i 
 gave an invitation to the Kev. Nathan Liird to settle with 
 them in the work of the ministry, as colleague pastor with 
 Eev. Mr. Barnard, for a salary of $700 per annum. Tlie 
 in\dtation was accepted, and Mr. Lord was ordained on the 22d 
 of May, 1816. Eev. Dr. McFarland, of Concord, preached 
 the sermon on the occasion. In Jan. 1826, Mr. Lord was 
 afflicted with a violent cold, which affected his voice in such 
 a manner that it was with difficulty that he could speak. 
 He continued, however, to supply the desk till the last 
 Sabbath in Feb. when his voice almost entirely failed. For 
 more than a year he was unable to prcacli, and was absent 
 much of the time on journeys for his health. He commen- 
 ced preaching again in April, 1827, and continued his labors 
 till May 1828, when his voice again failed. In August ho 
 was elected President of Dartmouth college ; and as it was 
 believed he would be aljle to discharge the duties of that 
 office, even if he should not regain his voice, he accepted the 
 appointment. A council was called which resulted in the 
 dissolution of the pastoral relation on the 22d of Nov. 1828, 
 when he immediately entered upon the duties of his new and 
 responsible station. 
 
 Rev. Dr. Lord's ministry continued twelve years and six 
 months, during which time 132 were received to the church, 
 giving an average of about 11 to each year. The greatest 
 number received at any one time was 13 — on the 14th of 
 June 1820. The largest additions to the church were made 
 in 1817 and 1820, being 20 in each of these years. The 
 whole number of baptisms was 151. 
 
 The year 1824 brought with it severe trials both to the 
 11 
 
154 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. 
 
 pastor and to the church in the withdrawment of several 
 members, in order to form a Unitarian chiirch, in connection 
 with the society recently established, and to come under the 
 pastoral care of the JRev. E. Q. Sewall. This separation 
 gave rise to a controversy between the pastor, Dr. Lord, and 
 the late C. H. Atherton, Esq., which was published in the 
 Farmer's Cabinet. In these trials the friends of evangelical 
 truth continued firm and united. And Clod brought Zion out 
 of all her troubles and set her feet in a large place. 
 
 In January 1829 an in\dtation was extended to Mr. Silas 
 Aikin of Bedfoi'd to become pastor of this church as colleague 
 with Kev. Mr. Barnard. This invitation was accepted, and the 
 ordination took place on the 4th of March. The sermon on 
 that occasion was preached by Rev. Samuel Green of Boston. 
 Dr. Church of Pelham delivered the charge. Eev. A. Eichards 
 gave the right hand of fellowship, and Eev. Mr. Nott of 
 Nashua addressed the church. The ministry of Mr. Aikin 
 was eminently successful. Entering upon a field which had 
 already been cultivated with diligence, his energy and devo- 
 tion were soon rewarded with very precious results. During 
 his ministry the church enjoyed two seasons of revival. The 
 first occurred in 1831, as the fruit of which sixty persons 
 became members of the church. The second, which was of a 
 more powerful and interesting character, occurred in 1835, 
 and resulted in the addition of one hundred and one mem- 
 bers to the church. Of this number, sixteen were received 
 at one communion, fifty two at another, and twenty at an- 
 other. The additions to the church during his ministry were 
 two hundred and twenty, giving an average of twenty seven 
 every year — a great increase ujjon the ratio of previous years. 
 In August, 1836, the Congregational Meeting-house was 
 moved to its present site and re-modeled. Eeceiving an in- 
 vitation from the Park Street church in Boston, Mr. Aikin 
 decided to accept it, to the great regret of his people. He 
 was dismissed March .5th, 1837, after a ministry of eight 
 years. 
 
 In Sept. of the same year a call was extended by the church 
 and society to Mr. F. A. Adams, a native of New Ipswich, to 
 settle with them as their pastor. He accepted the invitation 
 and was ordained on the 15th of Nov. 1837. Eev. N. Lord, 
 D.D.jEformer pastor, preached the sermon. Eev. H. Moore, 
 D, D. gave the charge. The ministry of Mr. Adams continued 
 about three years. At his own request he was dismissed Sept. 
 24, 1840. During this period 24 persons were added to the 
 church. After his dismission, Mr. Adams, who is an accom- 
 
AMHERST. 155 
 
 plislied scholar, and fond of teaching, became the principal 
 of Dunimer Academy, Byefield, Ms. 
 
 He was succeeded by Eev. William T. Savage, a native of 
 Bangor, Me., who was installed Feb. 4, 1841. Kev. Thomas 
 Savage of Bedford preached the sermon. During Mr. Savage's 
 ministry an interesting revival occurred; as the fruit of 
 wliich 67 persons were added to the church. Mr. Savage 
 was dismissed April 4, 1843, and was shortly afterward 
 settled at Holton, then an important military station on the 
 frontier of Maine. This rapid succession of past(_n-s indicates 
 the presence of disturbing causes of which the history cannot 
 yet be written, — that phase of the Anti-slavery movement 
 called come-otit-isin was then agitating the whole region, and 
 diversities of opinion both secular and religious had an 
 influence with individuals beyond the intrinsic merits of the 
 questions at issue. The salary since Dr. Allan's dismission 
 has been $700 per annum. 
 
 The present pastor, Eev. J. Gardner Davis, a native of 
 Concord, Ms. was ordained May 22, 1844. The history of 
 his ministiy has thus far been marked by less signal indications 
 of spiritual prosperity than that of several of his predecessors. 
 The actual influence and importance of this church, like many 
 others in New Hampslure, is not to bo gathered fnim the 
 pages of its records, but in following the jjersonal lustory of 
 the Christian men and women who have gone forth from her 
 fellowship, to sustain and build up the cause of Christ 
 abroad. We find the names of six, now officers of other 
 churches in New England, that once belonged to this church. 
 Two or three of her members have become missionaries. 
 Three are ministers. Within a period of ten years sixty 
 nine persons have been recommended to other churches, 
 more than one third of whom reside out of the State. Up 
 to 1850, twenty three students from Amherst were graduates 
 from different colleges. 
 
 The Unitarian society settled two pastors and worship 
 was maintained a few years. Their Meeting-house was 
 erected in 1835. Having become feeble in numbers and 
 dismissedjtheir ministers, a Universalist was ordaii^ed in their 
 house to preach to both Uuiversalists and Unitarians. The 
 ground was at length given up by both denominations, when 
 the Meeting-house was purchasecl for the use of a small Bap- 
 tist society which was organized some years before, and wor- 
 shiped in a hall. A Methodist society was gathered a few- 
 years ago and a chapel erected, in which they have main- 
 tained worship most of the time. 
 
156 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. 
 
 BEDFOKD. 
 
 Pkes. Chuech. — Rev. Thomas Savage. 
 
 The church in this town is Preshytcrian. Most of the 
 early settlers came from the north of Ireland and belonged 
 to the same stock which settled Londonderry. " They were," 
 as Dr. Whiton says in his history of New Hampshire, "a well 
 principled people, frugal, hardy and indnstrious, and warmly 
 attached to the Presbyterian doctrine and discipUne." That 
 such were the materials of which this church was composed, 
 appears from the petition for a town charter, which com- 
 mences "Your petitioners as to our particular persuasion in 
 Christianity, are generally of the Presbyterian denomination." 
 The date of their charter is 1750. And it was at this time 
 the church was organized by the " Boston Presbytery." — 
 Without delay, they turned their attention to the settlement 
 of a stated ministry. After having given calls, unsuccessful- 
 ly, to three different candidates, the last of whom was Eev. 
 Dr. McClintock of Greenland, they united in Mr. Houston, 
 as appears from the following vote in the town records : 
 " Voted unanimously, to give Mr. John Houston a call to 
 the work of the ministry in this town." He was born in 
 Londonderry 1723 and was educated at Princeton, at which 
 college he took his degree in 1753. He studied divinity in 
 his native town, under the care of his pastor, Rev. Da^dd 
 McGregore. He was well reputed for classical and theologi- 
 cal learning, and settled among the people with encouraging 
 prospects of future usefulness ancl happiness. He was 
 ordained Sept. 23, 1757. The exercises on the occasion 
 were as follows : Rev. Mr. True of Hampstead offered the 
 prayer. Eev. Mr. Parsons of Newbury, Ms, preached from 
 1st Timothy, 1 : 2. Rev. D. McGregore of Londonderry 
 gave the charge. Rev. Mr. True gave the Right Hand. We 
 have no records of the church to which to refer during this 
 •early period of its existence. But it appears that a board 
 of Elclers was chosen ; that catechetical instruction was gener- 
 ally attended, and that the institutions of religion were well 
 sustained. This state of things continued, with very Httle 
 to interrupt the general harmony, till the exciting period of 
 our Revolution. It is well known that those who set them- 
 selves against the tide of patriotic feeling, at that crisis, 
 became very unpopular, were denominated tories, and were 
 viewed as enemies to the countiy. Mr. Houston espoused 
 this side in pohtics, and being constitutionally inflexible, he 
 became a thorough and decided loyalist. This course gave 
 
BEDFORD. 157 
 
 great offence to his people. May 16, 1775, we find the fol- 
 lowing article in the warrant for town meeting : '■' To see 
 what method the town will take relating to Rev. John 
 Honston, in these troublesome times, as we apprehend his 
 praying and preaching to be calculated to intimidate the 
 minds of his hearers and to weaken their hands in defence 
 of their just rights and liberties, as there seems a plan to be 
 laid by Parliament to destroy both." He now ceased 
 preaching to the people, but his pastoral connection was not 
 dissolved till 1778 as appears from the minutes of Synod. 
 For some years after he occasionally preached, as he liad 
 opportunity, particularly in Barnet, Vt. The trials, severe 
 as they were, through wliich he passed, did not crush his 
 spirit, though they may have rendered more repulsive a tem- 
 perament that has been said to have been stern and rigid. 
 He no doubt felt himself injured. Had it been merely his 
 removal as minister of the place, he could not complain, 
 because it was no more than might have been expected in 
 such times. But he was personally abused, and in one 
 instance treated in a manner the most unjustifiable. He 
 died Feb. 3, 1798, aged 75. 
 
 After the dismissal of Mr. Houston, the town was desti- 
 tute of a settled minister for nearly tliirty years. During 
 this long period, the people hired a great many candidates 
 and preachers, from time to time, among whom one is par- 
 ticularly remembered. Rev. Wm. Piekle, a native of Wales, 
 who supplied the longest period. 
 
 Sept. 5, 1804, Rev. David McGregore was ordained to the 
 pastoral charge of the church and congregation in this town. 
 During the bng interval of decline that had passed, the 
 cause of religion had greatly suffered. But after Mr. Mc- 
 Gregore's settlement the religious aspect changes for the 
 better. Elders, from time to time were added to the old 
 Board ; church discipline was revived ; additions were yearly 
 made to their number, and the cause of piety and benevo- 
 lence advanced with a steady progress. In 1818, there was 
 more than ordinary attention to religion, and on Sabbath, 
 May 31, fourteen jiersons were adimtted to the church. — 
 April 17, 1825, Mr. McGregore was dismissed at his own 
 request, bodily infirmities rendering him unable to attend to 
 the duties of a large parish. He was born in Londonderry, 
 being grand-nephew of Rev. David McGregore, and great 
 grandson of Rev. James McGregore, first minister in Lon- 
 donderry. After completing his collegiate course at Dart- 
 mouth, 1799, he devoted himself for some time to teaching 
 school. He was three times married, but left no children. 
 
]58 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. 
 
 His ordination sermon Wcas preached by Kev. Dr. Morrison 
 of Londonderry, from 1st Timothy, 6 : 20 ; witli whom also 
 he studied divinity. In the early part of his ministry he 
 was absent from his people, some months, on a missionary 
 tour in the northern part of the State. The following anec- 
 dote is related of him during this tour. In the wild and 
 thinly settled country near the White Mountains, he arriv- 
 ed, on a summer evening, after a toilsome day's journey over 
 a mountainous road, at a rude cabin in the bosom of a dark 
 forest, and was so fatigued that ho immediately retired to 
 bed, knowing nothing of the inmates of the house. After a 
 season of sleep, he was aroused by footsteps in the house, 
 and by an undertone conversation between persons in an 
 adjoining room. He listened, caught here and there a word 
 and began to suspect that he had fallen into bad hands. 
 Putting himself in the best attitude of defence in his power, 
 he lay awake the rest of the night. Morning dawned and 
 found him safe. On rising, he soon discovered that he was 
 with a very poor but pious family, and that the undertone 
 talk and the footsteps, wliich had excited his suspicions, 
 arose from their joy at seeing a missionary, and from the 
 preparations they had made in the night to give him in the 
 morning the best reception their poverty would admit. 
 
 Mr. iVIcGregore made himself very useful after his dismis- 
 sion, as an instructor of youth. He encouraged many to get 
 an education, who owe to his benevolent interest in their 
 welfare much of their subsequent success in hfe. He was a 
 man of fine social equalities, and often made himself very 
 entertaining, by his powers of conversation. In 1831, he 
 removed to Falmouth, Me., where he engaged in promoting 
 the interests of learning and religion, and where he died very 
 suddenly, Oct. 18, 184.5, aged 74. 
 
 July 5, 1826, Eev. Thomas Savage was installed pastor 
 of the church and congregation by the Londonderry Presby- 
 tery. Eev. Dr. Whiton of Antrim preached from Luke 
 9 : 60 — "But go thou and preach the Idngdom of G-od." — 
 He had been ordained to the work of the ministrj^, without 
 pastoral charge, by the Presbytery of Mississippi, August, 
 1822, and preached two years at Baton Kouge, La. He 
 was born in Boston, Sept. 2, 1793. He completed his colle- 
 giate course at Harvard, in 1813, and having pursued the 
 study of theology for some time at Cambridge, he finished 
 Ills preparation under the care of the Mississippi Presbytery, 
 1822. He has been t^vice married and has five elrildren. 
 
 This church has had various seasons of refreshing, in 
 which additions have been made to it. The year 1831 was 
 
BEDFORD. 159 
 
 memorable for revivals throughout the land. This church 
 jiartook largely of the influence, and in September of that 
 year, ninety one united with the church at one communion. 
 In subsequent jieriods, there have been seasons of religious 
 interest, by wliicli the church has been strengthened and 
 enlarged. During the last tliirty years there have been add- 
 ed by letter and jn-ofession three hundred and fifty members. 
 Some have gone from this church to do good in various sec- 
 tions of the coimtry and the world. In the work of foreign 
 missions, in the ministry at home, and in the western fields ; 
 among the Indians of our country, and among the salile 
 children of Africa, laborers have gone forth, who, we trust, 
 wiU meet their reward in heaven. Of male members of the 
 chm-ch, eight have lieen ministers of the gospel, and of 
 female members, twelve have married clergymen, of whom 
 three have been on foreign missions. 
 
 AA^ith regard to the religious character of its ])eople, it 
 may be said that, from the first, they have been distingirish- 
 ed for their attachment to religious institutions. The first 
 settlers were under the necessity, for some time, of attend- 
 ing public worship at Londonderry. They performed the 
 journey on foot, and generally carried one or two cluldren a 
 distance of twelve miles. The following circumstance has 
 been handed down, illustrative of the general regard for the 
 sanctuary. Rev. Mr. Houston had a neighbor with whom 
 he was not always on the best terms. One Saturday they 
 met and had some sharp, unneighborly talk together about 
 their fences and cattle. Some townsmen were present and 
 heard their altercation. On the next day (Sabbath) Mr. 
 R., the neighbor, was punctually at meeting. Some of the 
 persons who had witnessed the contest on the day before, 
 
 looked astonished and said, " Mr. R we thought yoii would 
 
 not be at meeting to-day to hear your neighbor Houston 
 preach, after having such a quarrel ^vith him." Said Mr. 
 R., "I'd have ye to know, if I did quarrel with my neighbor 
 Houston yesterday, I did not quarrel with the gospel." 
 
 Various causes have operated of late, to diminish the 
 church in number, such as emigration to the west — removal 
 to manufacturing towns — deaths, and the absence of any 
 special religious interest ; but there is a general state of har- 
 mony, and on the whole, encouraging prospects i'ov the 
 future. The present number of the church is one hundred 
 and fifty, seven having been added the past year. Popula- 
 tion in 1820, 1375 ; in 1850, 1906. 
 
160 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. 
 
 BENNINGTON. 
 
 Rev. J. "Whiton, D.D. 
 
 Incoi-porated Dec. 15, 1842, it had a population of 153 in 
 1820, and 541 in 1850. In 1839 on the sixth day of July, 
 there was a church organized. Until 1841 the church was 
 supplied hy Rev. Ebenezer Coleman. Rev. Albert Manson 
 was ordained pastor of the church Nov. 3d, 1841. He was 
 a native of St. Armands, Canada East. He was a lawyer 
 before entering the ministry. He graduated at Gilmantoa 
 Theo. Seminary. His labors were blessed to the building 
 up of the church which increased to nearly seventy membera 
 imder his ministry. He was dismissed at his own request 
 in May 1850, was pastor a few years at Rochester, Vt., but 
 has since removed to Iowa. 
 
 Rev. C. N. Ransom followed in the work of the ministry, 
 and continued until the spring of 1853, when he removed to 
 Westbrook, Maine, where he was employed in the ministe- 
 rial work. From the time of his departure, Rev. John M 
 Wliiton, D.D. has ministered to the church, which now num- 
 Ijers forty members. And happy is the church that loves 
 and sustains the teachings of a minister of Christ who has 
 the garnered fund of nearly half a century of experience in 
 dealing with the souls of men, and who must esteem him- 
 self, every Sabbath, uttering his dying counsels in relation 
 to the way of life eternal. May Simeon's vision be the joy 
 of this aged father in our Zion, ere he departs from mortal 
 scenes. 
 
 BROOKLINE.« 
 
 The Congregational church in Brookline was organized 
 Dec. 10, 1795, composed of fifteen members. The first pas- 
 tor of the church was Rev. Lemuel Wadsworth, who was 
 ordained Oct. 11, 1797. Prior to this date there had been 
 occasional preaclung in the place, small sums ha\ing been 
 raised by the town from time to time for that purpose. The 
 early settlers of the town being few in numbers and limited 
 in means, and unable to support the gospel statedly among 
 themselves, were some of them at least possessed of moral 
 worth, and were in the habit of going a distance from five to 
 ten miles regularly to the neighboring towns of HoUis and 
 
 * Sketch by Rev. D. Goodwin, late pastor. 
 
BHOOKLINE. 161 
 
 Pepperell to worship God on the Sabbath. A principal part 
 of the original settlers were the Scotch Irish, who here, as 
 elsewhere, proved valuable members of society and of the 
 church. Arrangements were made as early as the year 1787 
 to build a Meeting-house, .yet owing to their scanty means 
 it was not completed till about the time of Mr. Wadsworth's 
 settlement. 
 
 The conditions of his settlement were, that he was to re- 
 ceive £150 as a settlement to be paid in three annual instal- 
 ments, £60 as an annual salary for three years, and £70 
 after that time. Mr. AVadsworth was born at Stoughton, 
 Ms., March 9th, 1769 ; graduated at Bro'mi college in Prov- 
 idence, 1793. He secured and maintained the confidence of 
 liis jieople, and remained in office till Nov. 25th, 1817, when 
 he was removed by death, aged forty eight. During his 
 ministry mneteen were admitted to the church, and se\'enty 
 four persons, all infants save three, were baptized. After his 
 death the church was destitute of a pastor for more than nine 
 years, during which time a certain Dr. Warren was employed 
 to sujjply the pulpit. He remained two years, preaching and 
 practicing medicine. He produced much excitement, and 
 numbers were received into the church without examination 
 and without covenant, which, with the disorderly conduct of 
 the man, made the church much trouble, when by the advice 
 of neighboring pastors, the church adopted the measure, in 
 1821, of a renewal of covenant, no longer recognizing as 
 members those who refused to subscribe the covenant. 
 
 The second pastor of the church was Rev. Jacob Holt, a 
 native of Andover, Ms., born 1780, graduated at Dartmouth 
 1803, who was ordained Jan. 31, 1827, and resigned in 1831. 
 After leaving this ^ilace, he resided in Ipswich, where he died 
 two or three years since. Not long after Mr. Holt's labors 
 closed, a series of meetings was held in this place by the 
 neighboring pastors, and, as the happy results, tlhrty four 
 were received into the church the next year (1832.) 
 
 After some temporary supplies, Eev. Henry E. Eastman 
 was invited to preach as a candidate, and was ordained Dec. 
 9th, 1835, and remained about two years. He recently died 
 at the West in the employ of the American Home Mission- 
 ary Society. Before Mr. Eastman left, a majority in the 
 town, being opposed to orthodox principles, took the Meet- 
 ing-house away from the church and society, and emp)loyed 
 a Christian preacher to supply the pulpit by the year with 
 the intention that he would exchange with Unitarians and 
 Universalists. The next season the church and society held 
 their meetings at three school houses in rotation, supplied 
 
162 HILLSBOROUGH COUXTT. 
 
 by Rev. E. Hill of Mason ; and with commendable zeal and 
 promptness the same season built them a new Meeting- 
 house, which was dedicated by appropriate services, Feb. 27, 
 1839, and on the same day Rev. Daniel Goodwin, having 
 received a call and settlement, was ordained. Mr. Goodwin, 
 a native of Londonderry, was born Jan. 25th, 1809, gradu- 
 ated at Dartmouth 1835, and at Andover 1838. Since his 
 ordination forty eight persons have been added to the church, 
 27 by profession, and 21 by letter. Fifty six have re- 
 ceived the ordinance of baptism, sixteen adults and forty 
 infants. Mr. Goodwin was dismissed in 1855. It is impos- 
 sible to tell how many have been connected mth this church. 
 The records are very imperfect. The present number is sev- 
 enty five. The church has for quite a number of years been 
 aided by the N. H. M. S., and weekly prayer meetings and 
 the monthly concert are sustained. A small Christian church 
 was formed here in 1837 or 1838, which for a year or two had 
 constant preacliing. That, having become nearly extinct was 
 succeeded by a Methodist, organized in 1852 ; since which 
 time they have had preaching in the old Meeting-house. 
 They have some iifteen members. We have one young man 
 in college studying for the ministry. Years distinguished 
 by revivcds, 1851, and 1842. 
 
 DEERING. 
 
 Rev. James W. Perkins. 
 
 Deering is a post-township in Hillsborough county. The 
 first permanent settlement was made in 1765, and it was 
 incorporated in 1772, receiving its name from Gov. John 
 Wentworth in honor of liis wife, whose name Ijefore mar- 
 riage was Frances Deering. Its ^^opulation at the last census 
 was 890. The character of ih.Q first settlers of this town had 
 been formed under the influence of gospel institutions, as 
 they were held and sustained in Londonderry, Chester and 
 Amherst. They were therefore favorably disposed to a reg- 
 ular orthodox ministry. But as the settlement of the town 
 advanced, other and opposing elements began to oj^erate. — 
 Hence but little money was raised annually for many years 
 for ministerial labors ; and four or six Sabbaths preaching 
 were all that were enjoyed yearly for some fourteen years 
 from the first settlement of the town ; and these few rehg- 
 ious services were held in private houses and barns. In 
 1779, the town passed a vote " to settle a minister at a con- 
 
DEERING. 163 
 
 venient season." But no minister was presented with a call 
 to settle among them for ten years subsequent to this vote. 
 And the first movement on record in resjiect to huilding a 
 house of worship was not made until 1780, fifteen years after 
 the first settlement of the town. Nothing decisive, however, 
 was done in the matter until 1786, when the town voted to 
 build a house 55 feet long, 45 feet wide, two stories liigh, 
 with a convenient porch at each end. But the frame of this 
 proposed house was not erected for nearly two years, and two 
 years more elapsed before the pews were built and the house 
 put in a suitable condition for religious meetings. 
 
 The first church in town was organized in 1789, by Kcv. 
 Solomon Moore of New Boston and Kev. Jonathan Barns of 
 Hillsborough, and adopted the Congregational form of gov- 
 ernment. It was constituted of nine persons, all males, five 
 by letters from other churches and four by jjrofession. In 
 the same month in which the church was farmed, the town 
 voted to extend a call to Eev. Mr. Gillet " to settle with 
 them in the capacity of a gospel minister ;" proposing to 
 give him £ 90 as a settlement, and to pay him an annual sal- 
 ary of £ 65. Whether the church as such united in this call 
 is not known. Mr. Gillet, however, did not accept of the 
 call, and the church and town were nearly two years without 
 a minister. The form of church government was then 
 changed to Presbyterian ; and the same year the town voted 
 to give the Kev. Daniel Merrill a call ; but there being but 
 a majority of two, the call was either not presented, or if 
 presented, answered in the negative. The church did not 
 acquiesce in this call. Mr. Merrill was employed to preach 
 for a time, and either during his labors or shortly after they 
 ceased, there was unusual attention to religion, inasmuch as 
 fifty persons in the course of twelve or eighteen months 
 united with the church, most of whom were heads of fami- 
 lies. They were examined and propounded previous to their 
 admission. After five years experience under the Presbyte- 
 rian form of government, the church resumed the original 
 Congregational form. This was done because it appeared 
 to the church, " that it would be the means of promoting 
 peace and harmony in town." Shortly after, in 1798, the 
 church extended a call to the Rev. Christopher Page to set- 
 tle among them, granting " him the liberty to baptize on the 
 half way covenant, so caUed. In this call the town united, 
 and voted Mr. Page a salary of £ 70 and 25 cords of wood, 
 or £ 80 exclusive of wood, at his option. Mr. Page supphed 
 the pulpit for a time, but did not accept the call. The year 
 after Mr. Page left, the town voted to assess f 100 " to hire 
 
164 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. 
 
 preaching," and the year follo\\'ing $ 150 for the same pur- 
 pose. Whether this money was expended for preaching or 
 not, does not appear from the church or town records. After 
 Mr. Page left, till 1800, the town did not enjoy the blessing 
 of a preaclied gospel for a large proportion of the time. In 
 this year Mr. David Long received a call to settle, and did 
 not accept, but preached for a few months. In 1801, the 
 Eev. Mr. Sleigh was invited by the town to become their 
 minister ; but the church was opposed to Ms settlement, 
 believing him to be " unsound in his doctrinal views, and 
 without those natural and accprired abilities which were 
 requisite to accomplish him for the work of the gospel min- 
 istry." But the majority of the town were determined on 
 effecting his settlement ; accordingly through the agency of 
 certain ministers, another church was formed, and Mr. Sleigh 
 was installed. He was dismissed at his own request in 1807, 
 and the church over which he was installed soon became 
 extinct. The old orthodox church, during this time, had 
 occasional preaching and the administration of the Lord's 
 supper, and some additions were made to it. From this 
 period up to 1819, when the " Toleration Act" was passed 
 by the Legislature, the town raised small sums of money 
 yearly to "hire preaching." During the same time, the 
 church and that portion of the people sympathizing with 
 them, enj(iyed preaching a part of the time, and the Lord's 
 Supper was administered once or twice each year. Of those 
 who labored here, was Rev. James Richards, afterwards a 
 Foreign missionary. Eev. Jabez Fisher then supplied their 
 puljsit some four or five years, and a revival of religion 
 to some extent was enjoyed. At one time, fifteen were 
 admitted to the church by profession. From the close of 
 Mr. Fisher's labors there were only irregular and inter- 
 larpted supplies up to 1829. 
 
 In 1829, the Eev. Eber Child was installed pastor of this 
 church, and a new and convenient house of worship was 
 built. At his own request Mr. Child was dismissed Feb. 
 27, 1834. During his ministry there was some special inter- 
 est on the subject of religion, and twelve persons were added 
 to the church. In the autumn of 1835 the Rev. Peter 
 Holt commenced his labors here, and closed them in 1840. — 
 There were some added to the church by jirofcssion under 
 his ministry. In 1843 the Rev. William Richardson was 
 installed. He was dismissed in 1847 at his own request, 
 made in consequence of an affection of his eyes. Some con- 
 versions and additions were made to the church during his 
 ministry. The Eev. Edmund Burt then labored here as 
 
FRANCESTOWN. 165 
 
 S 
 
 tated su])ply about two years. Tlie three followJn>;- years 
 the Rev. WiUiam Gale acted as stated supply. During his 
 ministry and in a measure by his perseverance, an Academy 
 was established, which has already been highly Ijcnclicial to 
 the young. 
 
 The Rev. James W. Perkins is the present acting pastor. 
 His ministry here commenced June 1854. The records of 
 the church in its early days are very imperfect, hnt it is 
 known that in those days, particularly, infant baptism was 
 practiced almost without exception. But two candidates 
 for the ministrv have been furnished from this church. Rev. 
 Thomas A. Merrill, D.D. late of Middlebury, Vt., an emi- 
 nent and godly man, was one of the baptized childi-en of this 
 church. The whole number of members of the church from 
 its organization is 179. Present number 36. Salary of the 
 pastor is $ 400. Less than one half of the population is 
 embraced ■u'ithin the limits of this parish ; and the average 
 attendance at their house of worship is only about 100. Sev- 
 eral things have (operated greatly to the disadvantage of this 
 church. The most powerful of these have lieen, the absence 
 of a permanent ministry, the early influence of leading men 
 who were opposed to the orthodox system of religion, and 
 the geography of the town, — the central jiortion, where the 
 house of worship) has from the first been located, being sepa- 
 rated by formidaljle hills from many of the inhal)itants, who 
 have been better convened at houses of worship in adjoining 
 towns. Judging from church and town records, there is 
 more readiness to contribute to the support of the gospel 
 now, than forty years ago, and much less op)en wickedness. 
 The temperance reformation has already dune much to pro- 
 mote the morality and temporal interests of the town. 
 
 FRANCESTOWN. 
 
 Rev. Latbrop Tayloh. 
 
 Many of the first inhabitants of this town were church 
 members when they immigrated, but had no church organi- 
 zation. The settlement of the town commenced in 1761, by 
 persons from Londonderry, and from Dedham, Ms. and its 
 vicinity ; the former were Presbyterians, the latter were Con- 
 gregationalists ; the former were Scotch Irish, the latter were 
 English. In 1783 the number of inhabitants was 500; in 
 1790 it arose to 980. The town was named in honor of the 
 wife of Governor Wentworth. Jan. 27th, 1773, that portion 
 
166 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. 
 
 of the first inlialjitants known as the English Society, were 
 organized into a Congregational chnrch by Eev. Samuel Cot- 
 ton of Litclifield, and the Kev. Daniel Wilkins of Amherst. 
 They were declared by them to bo a regular church of Christ, 
 and the covenant which they adojited was signed by twelve 
 men. At the same time six women were received into full 
 communion, constituting a church of eighteen members. 
 The church adopted no Confession of Faith until the year 
 1811. At the same time there existed in town the Presby- 
 terian Scotch Society. When it was organized is not Imown. 
 
 Seventeen years elapsed before the settlement of a pastor. 
 The town, however, employed ministers at different times to 
 preach during a part of each year. July 2d, 1772, in less 
 than one month after the act of town incorporation was 
 passed, the town voted £ 51 lawful money for preaching, and 
 to pay the cost of incorjioration. A committee was chosen 
 to carr}^ this vote into effect, and a jirivate house agreed 
 upon as the place for holding meetings for the first three 
 months. At the same meetings, the town appointed a com- 
 mittee " to center the town and to pitch upon a place for a 
 Meeting-house as near the center as the grounds will admit 
 of." The following month the town contracted for building 
 a Meeting-house. The next year, Aug. 5th, 1773, the town 
 voted to give Eev. AVm. Balch a call to settle in the minis- 
 try, according to Presbyterian rules. He declined this call, 
 but prcaclung was still enjoyed. The project of budding a 
 Meeting-house was annually considered, but the house was 
 not erected till 1775, and was not covered until 1778, nor 
 finished until 1787. This enterprise was retarded by the 
 demands laid ujion the people by the war of the Revolution. 
 In 1779 Rev. Mr. Estabrooks was employed to preach. The 
 next year he was invited to settle. A ministerial lot was 
 purchased, and other provision made for Iris temporal sup- 
 port ; but he refused settlement. Efforts were subsequently 
 made to settle Rev. Robert Annan, and Rev. Nathaniel 
 Howe, but they were not successful. Jan. 11th, 1790, the 
 to^vn gave Mr. Moses Bradford a caU to settle either as a 
 Presbyterian or Congregational minister as he might prefer. 
 To this there was but one dissenting vote. He accepted the 
 call. He was a Congregationalist in heart and in theory; 
 he was therefore settled according to Congregational usage, 
 Sept. 8th, 1790. 
 
 Before his settlement certain matters were taken up and 
 acted upon, at the instance of Mr. Bradford, preparatory to 
 his usefulness in the church and among the people. The 
 church voted to receive any of the present half way covenant 
 
FEANCESTOWN. 167 
 
 members who desired it into full communion, and hencefortli 
 to abolish that mode of ailmitting members. The cliurch 
 also voted to receive all those Presbyterians into full com- 
 munion who had cooperated in calling Mr. Bradford, and all 
 those who were in full communion with their own church, 
 on condition of their submission to the church covenant and 
 discipline, and that the ordinances should be administered 
 statedly according to the directory of the Presbyterian Con- 
 fession of Faith. The Presbyterians voted to come into the 
 church on these terms ; and thus all the professors of relig- 
 ion in town were united in the same Congregational clmrcb. 
 Rev. Ebenezer Bradford, father of the jiastor elect, of Old 
 Rowley, Ms., preached the sermon from Rev. 2: 10. During 
 the seventeen years previous to the settlement of a minister, 
 eighty four persons had been added to the church. Mr. 
 Bradford had the whole town for liis parish, numbering 980 
 souls. No other denomination was in the field ; none en- 
 tered it during his ministry. He was a thorough Calvinist 
 in his theology. AU his religious opinions and principles of 
 action were the result of patient and thorough investigation, 
 and he maintained them with masterly arguments. He was 
 a lucid and instructive preacher in public and in the families 
 of his charge ; and he carried with him in his vicAvs tlie mass 
 of the people. Under his ministry there were frecjuent sea- 
 sons of special interest ; and some of them were of great 
 power. He continued the pastor of the church thirty seven 
 years. During his pastorate three hundred and thirty seven 
 persons were admitted to church membership, an average of 
 nine each year ; seventy nine were received in 1812, and in 
 the following year twenty eight. Before his settlement the 
 ordinance of baptism had been administered to two hundred 
 and seventy one infants. In his ministry he baptized nine 
 hundred and fifty cliildren. The very able and scriptural 
 Confession of Faith maintained by the church, also impor- 
 tant rules and regulations for governing the church and pre- 
 serving sound doctrine, were prepared and adopted under liis 
 care and were mainly his own composition. His ministry 
 was eminently a happy and prosperous one until near its 
 close. His intellectual faculties began to decay earlier in 
 Hfe than is common to most men. Difiiculties arose that 
 disturbed his peace, and he was urged to retire from his 
 office. March Slst, 1826, sixty persons having formed them- 
 selves into a " Calvinistic Congregational society," protested 
 against being taxed for his support. His ministry terminated 
 Jan. 1st, 1827. The town paid him $1000 to relinquish his 
 claims on it for support. He remained in Francestown a 
 
168 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. 
 
 few 3^ears, occasionally preaching to destitute churches. He 
 then removed to Sunderland, Ms., where lie died. 
 
 Nov. 7th, 1827, Mr. Austin Richards, of Plainfield, Ms., 
 was ordained and settled as pastor of the church. His set- 
 tlement was effected by the Congregational church and soci- 
 ety, the town no longer bearing the responsibility of the sup- 
 port of the gospel. The ordination sermon was preached by 
 Eev. Nathan Lord, D.D., then of Amherst. Mr. Eichards 
 remained here nine years, and the church enjoyed great pros- 
 perity and heartily cooperated with other Christians in pro- 
 moting the various ol)jects of religious benevolence. Oct. 
 20th, 1831, the following resolution was unanimously 
 adopted by the church: "Resolved that no person shall 
 hereafter be permitted to become a member of this church, 
 without having first agreed to abstain from the use of dis- 
 tilled spirits except as a medicine, and t(3 use all suitable 
 means to discourage the use of it in others." This resolu- 
 tion, it is believed, defines the position of most of the church- 
 es in the State at the present time. Some of the most pow- 
 erful revivals of religion the church has ever enjoyed occurred 
 during this ministry. Sore trials at length befel Mr. Rich- 
 ards by reason of difficulties that arose in the church. He 
 was influenced by these, as well as by a call from Olive St. 
 church, Nashua, to ask a dismission, which took place March 
 10th, 1836. During his ministry three hundred and twenty 
 persons united with the church, and all but twenty seven of 
 these by profession. In 1828 the number that professed 
 religion was one hundred and twenty two ; in 1831, sixty 
 two ; and in 1832, forty three 2)ersons. During these nine 
 years two hundred and fifty three children were baptized, 
 
 Oct. 12th, 1836, Rev. Nathaniel S. Folsom was installed 
 pastor. He was dismissed at Ins own request, Aug. 21st, 
 1838, He was soon settled in Providence, R. I., where Ms 
 stay was short. He afterwards became a Unitarian. Dur- 
 ing his ministiy twenty two persons united with the church, 
 eighteen by jirofession. Thirty nine children received bap- 
 tism. 
 
 Rev. James R. Davenport was installed pastor here May 
 15th, 1839. The sermon was preached by Rev. Silas Aikin, 
 D.D., then of Boston. He was dismissed by his own recpiest 
 Aug. 18th, 1842, after a pastorate of about three years. Dur- 
 ing this period fifty seven persons united with the church, 
 thirty two by profession. He baptized forty children. Af- 
 ter his dismission he became an Ejjiscopal minister. 
 
 Aug. 16th, 1843, Rev. Jonathan McG-ee was installed here. 
 The sermon on the occasion was preached by Rev. A. Blan- 
 
FRANCESTOWN. 169 
 
 chartl of Lowell. After a ^lastorate of about seven years, on 
 account of some dissatisfaction, he was dismissed Nov. 5th, 
 1850, bj^ his own request, and in accordance with a condition 
 of settlement — six months notice by the party wishing the 
 connection to be dissolved. During his ministry forty four 
 persons were admitted to the church, twenty four by profes- 
 sion, and sixty three cliildren were Ijaptized during this time 
 and the year previous. 
 
 Nov. 19th, 1851, the present pastor. Rev. L. Taylor, just 
 dismissed from the Congregational church in Springfield, Vt., 
 was installed. Sermon by Rev. A. Richards of Nashua. He 
 has been pastor four years. During this time fjrty eight 
 piersons have become connected with the church ; thirty six 
 children have received baptism. During these four years 
 about $2,000 have been contributed to the various benevo- 
 lent objects. There is but one religious denomination in 
 the town, now numbering about eleven hundred inlialjitants. 
 There is and ever has been a good state of morals in the 
 town and remarkable freedom from AT.ce and crime. 
 
 An acadeui}^ of high standing has been in operation for 
 more than fifty years, and has aided in giving to the church 
 and community generally an inteUigent and refined charac- 
 ter. 
 
 The church from the beginning has lield fast the fjrm of 
 sound doctrine as contained in the "Assembly's Cateclfism," 
 and never has been agitated bj'' schismatic influences, nor 
 vexed by new theories of religion. A thorough and reform- 
 atory discipHne has always been maintained. Vital godli- 
 ness has at times been low, but there has been generally a 
 good degree of the spirit and power of religion in the church. 
 A prayer meeting has been sustained for a very long series 
 of years, Wednesday afternoon, and has often been attended 
 by hundreds at a time. The church enlisted in the Sabbath 
 School enterprise in the earUest history of that institution. 
 
 The first Meeting-house that was built was torn down and 
 another built in its place in the year 1801. In 1834 that 
 house was turned around, enlarged and beautified at an ex- 
 pense of $ 4,000. The house has ever been consecrated to 
 an orthodox religion. The society purchased it of the town 
 and for many years has had the entire control of it. 
 
 The whole number of persons admitted to the church is 
 926 during the eighty one years of its existence. About 755 
 of these have joined by profession ; 416 or more of these per- 
 sons have died. Only two survive who were members of the 
 church when Mr. Bradford, the first minister, was settled ; 
 188 have been dismissed and 12 have been excommunicated ; 
 12 
 
170 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. 
 
 1642 children have received baptism. Under the means of 
 grace here enjoyed seven ministers have been raised up, and 
 all but two were members of this church, viz. : Moses Wil- 
 son, Ebenezer Everett, Samuel Bradford, Moses Bradford, 
 Ebenezer Bradford, Benjamin Burge, Trask Woodbury. 
 There have also been seven ministers' wives trained up here. 
 At present there are 100 persons in town who do not attend 
 public worship. The average attendance upon the Sabbath 
 worship is about 500. About 300 persons are connected 
 with the Sabbath School. The whole number of church 
 members is 310. 
 
 GOFFSTOWN.- 
 
 Rev. E. H. Richardson. 
 
 A church was early planted here, and has partaken of the 
 characteristics of the people. A large part of the town was 
 originally covered with valuable timber. Here, in the Pis- 
 cataqua and Merrimack rivers, were, anciently, some of the 
 best fishing grounds in the State, and a favorite resort of a 
 ]>rincipal tribe of Indians in this region. Lumbering and 
 fishing, therefore, were the main business of the early inhab- 
 itants. The use of intoxicating drinks was common. Intel- 
 ligence, industry and good order, were not prominent char- 
 acteristics of the place. The first settlement of the town 
 dates back as far as 1741 or '42. It was incorporated in 
 1761. The first tax was assessed upon fifty three persons. 
 Small appropriations for preaching were usually made annu- 
 ally. 
 
 But there were two religious interests among the people. 
 A portion, mostly in the south part of the town were of the 
 Londonderry stock, and favored Presbyterianism ; another 
 larger portion were Congj'egationaUsts. A house of worship 
 was erected in 1768, and from year to year something was 
 done towards its completion. The year following, " the pew 
 ground," as it was called, upon which each might construct 
 liis own pew, was sold at public auction. The avails were 
 appropriated to finishing the body of the house. In 1769 
 the town extended a call to Rev. Joseph Currier to settle 
 with them in the gospel ministry. This call he declined. 
 It was renewed, however, and he was ordained Oct. 30, 1771. 
 Emerson of Hollis, True of Hampstead, MerriU of Plaistow, 
 were in the ordaining council. Hence we date the organiza- 
 
 • Sketch by Rev. J. WiUey, former pastor. 
 
GOFFSTOWN. 171 
 
 tion of the Congregational church. Against liis settlement 
 thirty seven men remonstrated, declaring themselves to be 
 Presbyterians and determined not to pay towards his sup- 
 port. Of his ministry we have no records. He was dismiss- 
 ed August 29, 1774, by mutual consent, without a council. 
 The cause assigned in the records of the town, was intem- 
 perance. From this time the town was without a minister 
 seven years. Money was frequently raised f )r preacliing^ 
 and di^^ded between the two societies. In 1781 the Con- 
 gregational and Presbyterian societies were distinctly incor- 
 porated — the latter consisting of fifty six members. 
 
 The Congregational society this year extended a call to 
 Eev. Cornelius Waters and he became their pastor. They 
 offered him a settlement of £ 100 and a salary of £ 70 per 
 annum, for the first five years ; afterwards he was to receive 
 £80 per year. With the ministiy of Mr. Waters, were 
 associated good men in maintaining the order of God's house. 
 But difficulties increased until in the early part of 1795 the 
 pastoral relation was dissolved. During his ministry fifty 
 seven were received to the church, thirty three of whom had 
 taken "the half way" covenant upon them. 
 
 The Presbyterian church, during this time, had more or 
 less preaching each year in private houses and in barns, but 
 never had a house of worship nor a settled minister. In the 
 autumn of 1801 Eev. David L. MorriU was invited to settle 
 in the ministry in the jilace. Both societies united in his sup- 
 port, and the church assumed the name of the Congregation- 
 al Presbyterian church. He was ordained March 3, 1802. 
 He was to receive $300 settlement and $300 salary. In 
 1806 the Presbyterians withdrew, and the Congregationalists 
 assumed the support of the ministry. Mr. Morrill's active 
 services as pastor terminated by mutual consent in 1809 on 
 account of ill health. He, however, continued his relation 
 to the church and acted as their moderator until 1811, when 
 he was formally dismissed and recommended to the fellow- 
 ship of the churches. The number admitted to the church 
 during Mr. Morrill's ministry was thirty two. The preach- 
 ing of the gospel was enjoyed by this peojile more or less 
 each year, while they were without a pastor, for more than 
 ten years. Mr. Morrill often officiated in services of this 
 kind and was an instrument of good to the church for many 
 years. At different times he was employed in various civil 
 affairs, as Representative of the town, Senator in Congress, 
 and Grovernor of the State. In 1816 a society was organized 
 for the support of the institutions of religion in the town, 
 called the Religious Union Society. A new and spacious 
 
172 HILLSAOEOUGH COUNTY. 
 
 house of worship was erected in the west -siUage, and from 
 this time the meetings were held two-thirds of the time in 
 the new house, and one-third in the old house in the center 
 of the town. In the winters of 1818-19 a religious interest 
 was awakened in the minds of a large number of persons in 
 connection with the preaching of Kev. Ahel Manning, and 
 in the course of the following year sixty five persons were 
 |,dded to this then feeble church. It was the first extensive 
 revival ever enjoyed in the place. It is in the memories of 
 those now hving that there were a few women then living, 
 whose persevering prayers, in the midst of great (obstacles, 
 were answered in tliis revival of religion. It is said that 
 "they praj^ed it into existence." 
 
 Eev. Benjamin H. Pitman was settled as pastor of the 
 church in 1820, for the term of five years. During this 
 period there were received to the church by letter and other- 
 wise, twenty three persons. In 1820 a Baptist church was 
 formed in this town which has been sustained with a good 
 degree of interest. There has been a succession of pastors 
 who have labored with much success. In 1822 the Eeli- 
 gious Union Society in this place received, by the will of the 
 late Thomas W. Thompson, about 170 acres of land, the 
 avails of which were to be for the support of a Congregation- 
 al minister. 
 
 Kev. Henry Wood was settled in the ministry in May 
 182G, and a religious interest was soon manifest among the 
 people and continued many months. Large additions were 
 made to the church. In 1831 a revival of religion was again 
 experienced by this church. Near the close of this year, Mr. 
 Wood, at his own request, was dismissed. During his min- 
 istry of a little more than five years, there were added to the 
 church one hundred fifty two members. Kev. Daniel Stow- 
 ell immediately succeeded to the ministry of the place, 
 receiving ordination by the same council wliich dismissed 
 Mr. Wood. During his ministry of five years, sixty eight 
 members were received to the church. 
 
 In the autumn of 1837, Kev. Isaac Willey was installed 
 pastor of the church. In consequence of the increase of 
 population in the west part of the town, and the inconven- 
 ience of sustaining meetings in two places, the majority of 
 the people decided on sustaining worship in one place — the 
 west village. But a minority, to the rmmber of sixty four 
 members of the church, living in the center, and in the east 
 part of the town, petitioned to be dismissed for the purpose of 
 forming a new church and of sustaining worship in the center 
 of the town. The church voted its readiness to grant the 
 
GOFFSTOWN. l73 
 
 above petition. But after erectino; a new lionse in the center 
 of the town and making other efforts, it was judged advis- 
 able, both by the petitioners and by the clmrch, tliat they 
 should eontimie united and worship as in foi-mer years in 
 the two parts of the town. 
 
 In this church there was one of the first' decisions in 
 regard to the criminality of retailing intoxicating drinks, in 
 the case of one of its deacons who, by the advice of a council, 
 was excluded for this offence. 
 
 In the beginning of 1841 a woman, in the character of a 
 preacher, came into the place and held meetings almost dai- 
 ly. Her hearers increased until the large church, holding 
 nearly 1000 persons, was tilled. She professed no connec- 
 tion with any existing church, and was sustained for a time 
 by persons who had been excluded from the Congregational 
 and Baptist churches. It is a fact worth recording, that in 
 the following spring more than one half of the voters in 
 town, and nearly all those who had never been willing to 
 support any other jjreacher, came into her support. A num- 
 ber of persons who had made a profession of piety hastily, 
 were drawn off from each of the churches. The excitement 
 occasioned by her preaching, after a few months declined, 
 and no considerable good has been discovered as the result 
 of her labors. After a time she encouraged the few followers 
 who adhered to her to become organized into a Metlmdist 
 church. This was the origin of the church of that order in 
 town. In 1845 a new house of worship was erected, so 
 located as best to accommodate the members of the Congre- 
 gational society — an event most important for its interests. 
 For about thirty years the members of this society had suf- 
 fered the inconvenience and embarrassment of two places of 
 worship, three miles apart. 
 
 In the following year the dwelling house of the pastor of 
 this church, and all that was connected with it, was 
 burned to the ground, and he and his family, ten in numljer, 
 were, in a single hour in the dead of night, left without 
 shelter, food, and almost without clothing. To the honor 
 of the gospel which he was proclaiming in difficult circum- 
 stances, he was able to record in the religious paper of the 
 State, a few months after, that by the liberality of the min- 
 isters of the State and other Christian friends, his loss was 
 in value made up to him. 
 
 The pastorate of Mr. Willey was somewhat longer than 
 that of any of his predecessors, and was attended with noth- 
 ing less of trial and of difficulty. For ten years previous to 
 his settlement the church had enjoyed an unusual degree of 
 
174 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. 
 
 prosperity — not less than 220 persons had within this time 
 been received to its communion, and not always with the 
 care and discrimination which age and experience would 
 have dictated. The influence of the rapid growth of the 
 neighboring cities of Nashua and Manchester was felt, in 
 drawing away the population of the town and oftentimes 
 the better portions of it. At the commencement of Mr. 
 Willey's labors the church consisted of something more than 
 250 members. In the course of the fifteen years and a httle 
 more of his ministry, about 80 died, as many more were dis- 
 missed, 20 left in an informal manner, and 15 were excluded. 
 In this time 52 were added to the church, — lea"sdng at the 
 close of his ministry 107 members. 
 
 Eev. Elias H. Eichardson was settled as pastor of this 
 church and people in 1854 and with better jjrospects of use- 
 fulness and of support than most of his predecessors. May 
 the chapter next to be written in the liistory of this church, 
 be a record of its prosj)erity and of the displays of the grace 
 of God among this people. 
 
 It must be admitted that the institutions of religion have 
 received but a feeble support in this town. This was not 
 for want of ability. And while concentrated effort has been 
 hindered by the fact that there have been three villages in 
 town ; yet, want of love for gospel truth has been the main 
 reason for this feeble support. Habitual attendants on pub- 
 lic worship in town have probably never equaled one half of 
 the population, and usually, not one-third. In the frequent 
 removals of ministers, which have occurred here, (none ever 
 having died in the place,) the cause has usually been the 
 want of an adequate support. In this place as in many oth- 
 ers in our State, in times past, the people, after having been 
 destitute of the ministry for a time, and having felt their 
 wants in this respect, have roused themselves and raised a 
 salary upon paper. Then they have held out great encour- 
 agement of usefulness and support to a young minister. He 
 has come among them with high hopes. 13ut after a time 
 one and another has become dissatisfied with his ministry, 
 and before he is aware he finds himself, as to a support, 
 resting upon a sandy foundation. Tliis result must be 
 regarded, sometimes, as incidental to the voluntary system 
 of supporting the gospel practiced among us, (and we would 
 have no other,) but the habits of the people clifter widely in 
 different places. A young man seeking permanency in the 
 ministry, will do well to look to this point. And the people 
 will do well to remember that in cherisliing their pastors 
 they benefit themselves. 
 
GREENFIELD. 175 
 
 Comparatively few have been ready to aid liberally in the 
 support of religious institutions here, but they have been 
 the means of good to the ]>lace, which cannot now be told, 
 but for which, posterity will remember tlieni with gratitude. 
 
 The history of this church and society from the beginning, 
 shows that the main source of their difficulties has been the 
 use of intoxicating drinks. Few places have suffered more 
 in this respect. But for the past twenty five j^ears the 
 church has been a barrier to the progress of this evil. She 
 has not been loved by those who have been engaged in the 
 traffic of the article or in the habitual use of it. In one 
 instance, there is reason to believe, her house of worship was 
 set on fire by one who desired to fatten upon the spoils of 
 the people and whose inic[uitous work she exposed. In the 
 midst of all these oppiosing influences this church, though 
 generally feelile, has hitherto lived, and for many years past 
 has been making advances. God has not forsaken her. — 
 Many have here been trained for heaven. There their praises 
 will be to Him who has "wrought all their works in them." 
 
 GEEENFIELD. 
 
 The town of Greenfield was incorporated in 1791. The 
 early inhabitants of the town were disposed in the outset to 
 avail themselves of the privileges of the institutions of reli- 
 gion, and those of them who were members of churches 
 in the places whence they removed, in the same year the 
 town was incorporated, entered into solemn covenant with 
 each other for that object. In 1792, Sept. 7th, nineteen 
 individuals, members of churches abroad, with eight others 
 residents in the place, on profession of their faith, were by 
 an ecclesiastical council called for the purpose, organized 
 into a Congregational church. Thus early embodied in a 
 church, their object was to secure to themselves and those 
 connected with them the privileges of the gospel ministry, 
 and for several years they had the services of one or more to 
 laborwith them in that capacity. May 6th, 1799, the church 
 extended a call to Mr. Timothy Clark to settle with tliem in 
 the gospel ministry, the society concurring with the action 
 of the church. Mr. Clark having given an afiirmative 
 answer to the call, was, on Jan. 1, 1800, by an ecclesiastical 
 council regularly constituted, by ordination, pastor of the 
 church. Mr. Clark's ministry continued till May 1811, when 
 he was regularly dismissed from his pastoral charge. On the 
 
176 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. 
 
 4th of Nov. 1811, the church invited Mr. John Walker to 
 become their pastor, and requested the town to concur in 
 their doings. He was ordained Feb. 5, 1812, and was regu- 
 larly dismissed in July 1822. During the first year of his 
 ministry there was an interesting work of grace. An oppo- 
 sition at length arose against him, with which a large minor- 
 ity were so much grieved that they went to the Presbyterian 
 church in Peterborough, and were constituted a branch of 
 that church. Mr. Walker now preaches in Vermont. He 
 is still vigorous and active, although past 71 years of age. 
 
 Rev. Francis Danforth was ordained here June 11, 1823, 
 and remained nearly eight years, — was dismissed in April 
 1831. 
 
 EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 
 Rev. Jonathan McGee. 
 
 Jan. 8, 1834, the Greenfield branch of the Peterborough 
 church, which had only enjoyed occasional preaching, and the 
 Congregational church, united in a mixed form of govern- 
 ment under the title Evangelical Chtirch. Into this church 
 entered the whole of the Presbyterians and nearly all the 
 Congregationalists. In July 1834, this church extended a 
 call to Mr. Ezra Jones, then a member of Andover theo- 
 logical seminary, and a graduate of Middlebury college, and 
 by an ecclesiastical council he was set apart to the work of 
 the Christian ministry with this peojile, on the 18th of Sep- 
 tember. May 22, 1838, he was regularly dismissed. Rev. 
 David Page Smith commenced his labors as stated supply 
 with this church Oct. 1, 1839, and served them in that ca- 
 pacity until April 1845, when the church invited him to 
 become their pastor. He was installed May 8, 1845. He 
 continued his labors with the church until his Master called 
 him away by death, Oct. 1, 1850, — having served the church 
 as a minister of the gospel just eleven years. For three 
 months succeeding the decease of Mr. Smith, his vacant pulpit 
 was supplied by the ministers of the Association to which 
 he belonged. 
 
 Eev. Jonathan McGlee commenced labor with this church 
 as stated supply Jan. 1, 1851, and has served the church in 
 that capacity to the present time. 
 
 At different times during the preceding ministries, there 
 have been seasons of great religious interest, when, through 
 the riches of divine grace, souls have been brought into the 
 kingdom of the Redeemer, by which the church has been 
 refreshed and invigorated. Their results and extent cannot 
 
GREENFIELD. 177 
 
 be fully known. This church has no parsonage and no funds 
 for the support of the gospel. About a hundred dollars is 
 the amount given annuall}^ for benevolent purposes. A large 
 proportion of the population connected with the Evangelical 
 Society attend ]:>ublic worship on the Sabbath. The society 
 embraces less than half of the population of the town. — 
 Present number of members of the church 134. The ordi- 
 nance of infant baptism is observed and appreciated as a 
 divine ordinance. For many years past, great harmony has 
 existed between the members of the church and in the soci- 
 ety connected with them. The monthly and Sabbath School 
 concerts have been regularly observed. 
 
 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 
 Rev. J. LeBosquj;t. 
 
 The movement, which is detailed in the preceding article, 
 left but a small remnant of the old church. This remnant 
 was re-organized, Nov. 19th, 1839, having the same creed 
 and covenant which had been adopted by the church in the 
 days of the fathers, with the addition of the temperance 
 pledge. In the re-organization, the late Rev. Isaac Robinson, 
 D.D., of Stoddard, and Rev. Humphrey Moore, D.D., were 
 prominent actors. The day following the re-organization of 
 the church, Nov. 20th, 1839, Rev. Bancroft Fowler was in- 
 stalled as its pastor. Subsequently, John Savage (now de- 
 ceased) and Oliver Holt were chosen deacons. Oliver Holt, 
 Abraham Whittemore and WiUiam Savage 2d, hold the 
 same office at the present time. 
 
 It is but just to put upon record the fact that, soon after 
 the settlement of Rev. Mr. Fowler, a long series of dissen- 
 sions, which had produced a most unhappy influence in the 
 place, came to an end. A minute account of these dissen- 
 sions would make a volume ; and it would be as uninterest- 
 ing as unprofitable, while it is a matter of thankfulness that 
 a good degree of peace and harmony now exists in the town. 
 Rev. Mr. Fowler was dismissed April 22d, 1845. After his 
 dismission, the pulpit was supplied for a year by Rev. Amzi 
 Jones. Subsequently, Rev. Noah Emerson was employed as 
 stated supply, whose labors with this church commenced in 
 the autumn of 1846, and closed in April, 1849. From this 
 last date till the present time, Rev. John LeBosquet has 
 been the acting pastor of this church. 
 
 The Congregational church has for its place of worship, 
 " the Old Meeting-house." This edifice (the one which had 
 previously been occupied having been found inconveniently 
 
178 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. 
 
 small) was erected in 1795. It is of ample dimensions. In 
 July, 1852, after having been fitted up in a style both ele- 
 gant and commodious, the upper part was re-dedicated to 
 the worship of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. In the 
 autumn of 1849 a revival of religion was enjoyed in this 
 place, during which about fifty souls were hopefully con- 
 verted ; twenty eight of whom became connected with this 
 church. The present number of members is 103. Whole 
 number from re-organization, 135. Infant bajjtisms since 
 the same period, 36. 
 
 The congregation averages about 150 ; and there are 300 
 who may be considered as belonging to this parish, and who 
 attend public worship when it is practicable. The popula- 
 tion of the town is 716, and it has not increased for many 
 j'ears ; and the number who attend public worship is about 
 the same as it was forty years ago ; and it is believed that 
 the moral condition of the place is as good as at any former 
 period. Connected with this church, is a Sabbath school 
 averaging one hundred members. A weekly prayer meeting 
 and the monthly concert of prayer are sustained with some 
 interest. The contributions to benevolent objects amount 
 to about one hundred dollars annually. Three men from 
 this place have been furnished to the gospel ministry — two 
 of them being from this church ; one member of this church 
 is now preparing for the sacred office. One lady from this 
 place has been for several years a useful member of the Sand- 
 wich Islands mission. This society has a convenient parson- 
 age. The salary of the present minister is four hundred dol- 
 lars. The Evangelical and Congregational are the only re- 
 ligious societies in town. 
 
 Without funds for the support of the gospel, and weak- 
 ened by frequent dismissions to churches in all parts of the 
 country, this church is struggling forward, animated by the 
 hope of having some smaU share in the labors and victories 
 of the Eedeemer's kingdom. 
 
 HANCOCK. 
 
 Rev. ASAHEL BiGELOW. 
 
 This town was first settled in 1765 ; it was incorporated 
 in 1779. June 19, 1788, members of various churches,^ 
 residing in the town, met to consider the expediency of 
 being organized as a chm-ch, and agreed to take measures 
 for that purpose. In pursuance of this agreement a council 
 
HANCOCK. 179 
 
 was convened on the 28th day of August, 1788, and proceed- 
 ed to constitute a church consisting of ten male and seven 
 female members. Thirty one persons united with the 
 church, after its organization, before the settlement of a 
 pastor. 
 
 October 5, 1790, the church invited Mr. Keed Paige to 
 become their pastor. Mr. Paige signified his acceptance 
 of this im-itation, and was ordained Sept. 20, 1791. Rev. 
 Mr. Paige died July 22, 1816, in the 51st year of his age, 
 having been pastor of the church twenty four years and ten 
 months. He was thoroughly evangelical in sentiment, and 
 an able preacher. During his ministry 148 pers(3ns were 
 added to the church. The most received in any one year 
 was 21 in 1816, the year of his death. There were 281 children 
 baptized, and eight adults. "He was justly esteemed a 
 learned, pious, able and faithful minister ; a good citizen, an 
 honest and upright man ; a tirm patriot, and zealijus and 
 able advocate of his country's rights, which very nuich endear- 
 ed him to the people of his charge, who frequently elected 
 him to represent the town in the State legislature, of which 
 he was a member at the time of his death." Love of country 
 in a minister was at that day no reproach. After the death 
 of Eev. Mr. Paige the church remained without a pastor six 
 years and five months. During this time sixty five children 
 were baptized, and eight adults, and 31 persons were added 
 to the church. 
 
 Nov. 4, 1822 Mr. Archibald Burgess was invited to become 
 pastor of the church, and was ordained Dec. 25, 1822, Mr. 
 Burgess retained the pastoral office until Dec. 18, 1849, at 
 which time he was dismissed at his own request "on account 
 of physical inability to discharge his ministerial duties." He 
 died Feb. 7, 1850, at the age of 60 years, having lieen pastor 
 of the church twenty seven j^ears. He was sound in sentiment 
 and was a faithful and successful preacher. Under his 
 ministry the church enjoyed several seasons of refreshing, 
 the most important of which occurred in 1831 and in 1838. 
 As fruits of the former upwards of 100 persons were received 
 into the church, and 46 as fruits of the latter. During the 
 ministry of Eev. Mr. Burgess 314 persons were added to the 
 church, and 310 children and 29 adults were baptized. 
 
 March 19, 1850, three months after the dismission of Rev. 
 Mr. Burgess, the present pastor of the church. Rev. Asahel 
 Bigelow, was invited to settle with the church and people, 
 and was installed May 15, 1850. Since that time 46 persons 
 have been received into the church, and thirteen children 
 and eight adults have been baptized. The year 1854 was 
 
180 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. 
 
 marked by gentle effusions of the Holy Spirit, in consequence 
 of which twenty live were added to the church. The 
 whole number of persons that have belonged to the church, 
 from its commencement, is 587. Mrs. Susannah Gates, one 
 of the original members of the church, survives, but the 
 rest are fallen asleep. The whole number of children baptized 
 is 604, and the whole number of adults is 45. The whole 
 number of persons now belonging to the church is 202. It 
 pays a salary of $500. Three individuals from this church 
 have entered the ministry, viz. Daniel Brown, Samuel W. 
 Clark, and Daniel Goodhue. The church has taken an 
 interest in the various benevolent enterprises of the day, and 
 it is lielieved has been among the foremost in sustaining 
 them ])y pecuniary contributions. 
 
 This church, from its beginning, has stood firm as an 
 evangelical church, and, to promote its prosperity, has 
 seldom resorted to other than the ordinary means of grace. 
 Nor has it been given to change in regard to the ministry, 
 having had but three pastors since its organization, two of 
 whom sleep among those to whom they ministered wliile liv- 
 ing, and the third yet remains. 
 
 HILLSBOKOUGH. 
 
 The following facts are mainly drawn from Smith's "An- 
 nals of Hillsborough." The first settlement here was com- 
 menced in 1741, by a company of men from the vicinity of 
 Boston. Soon after furnishing themselves with log cabins, 
 the settlers proceeded to erect a framed Meeting-house and 
 parsonage. In 1744 the war between England and France 
 broke out, and Hillsborough, being then a frontier settlement, 
 was much exposed to the attacks of the Indians. The inhab- 
 itants therefore thought it advisable to leave this place, and 
 seek .safety elsewhere. During this absence their dwellings 
 and Meeting-house were destroyed. This was in 1746. A 
 second settlement was commenced in 1762. The settlers 
 w^ere of the Puritan faith, and Congregational order. The 
 Eev. Messrs. Houston of Bedford and Colton of Litchfield, 
 often visited and preached among them, and, on Oct. 12, 
 1769, organized a church. In 1772 the town was incorpo- 
 rated. For fifteen years, after the second settlement, public 
 worship during summer was held in a barn, and in winter in 
 a dwelling house. Col. Hill gave ten acres in the center of 
 the town for piublic purposes. He also gave for the first 
 
HILLSBOKOUGH. 181 
 
 settled minister, a lot of between two and three Imudred 
 acres. In 1772, the church and town extended a call to Mr. 
 Jonathan Barnes, to settle with them as their minister. Mr. 
 Barnes was ordained in a barn, Nov. 25th, 1772. He con- 
 tinued his jiastoral relation until Oct. 19th, 1803. In the 
 preceding summer, he was struck hy lightning from his liorse, 
 which prodxieed a paralysis from -wdiicli he never recovered. 
 He died Aug. 3d, 1805, aged 56. He was a man of respec- 
 table talents. His influence was good in maintaining order 
 and peace in town. His religious sentiments were consid- 
 ered Arminian, yet he was of a catholic spirit, kind and con- 
 ciliating. About two years after the death of Mr. Barnes, 
 the pulpit was vacant, and several candidates were em]il(jyed. 
 
 In June, 1805, the town concurred with the church in in- 
 viting Mr. Stephen Chapin to settle with them, offering him 
 a salary of $400, and four Sabbaths for himself. He ac- 
 cepted the call, and was ordained Jrme 18th, 1805. Dr. 
 Emmons of Franklin, Ms., with whom Mr. Chapin studied 
 theology, preached the ordination sermon, from Acts 20: 21. 
 Through Mr. Chapin's agency the church underwent an im- 
 portant change as to doctrine and practice, — the half way 
 covenant was abandoned, and vital and experimental religion 
 was insisted on as essential to church membership. His 
 plain, direct, and faithful preaching awakened so much op- 
 position that he was dismissed May 10th, 1808. [See Mont 
 Vernon.] His ministry, though short and troulded, formed 
 a decided crisis for evangelical piety in this town. Its influ- 
 ence is still felt. During his ministry 38 were added to the 
 church. 
 
 After an interval of about three years, the church invited 
 Mr. Seth Chapin to become their pastor. In this invitation 
 the town concurred, and he was ordained Jan. 1st, 1812. His 
 ministry was not distinguished by any thing notieealjle. He 
 became embarrassed with debts, and was dismissed June 26th, 
 1816. After Mr. Chapin's removal the pulpit was vacant 
 for several years. Several ministers supplied, among whom 
 was Kev. Jonathan McG-ee. 
 
 Rev. John Lawton commenced jjreacliing here in 1820, 
 and was installed Nov. 9th, 1821. He continued liis minis- 
 try here until April 22d, 1834, when he was dismissed at his 
 own request. Until the settlement of Mr. Lawton, the town 
 had always concurred with the church, had voted the salary, 
 and raised it by tax. The town now declined to vote a sal- 
 ary, and the ministry has ever since been sustained by volun- 
 tary subscription. During Mr. Lawton's ministry several 
 revivals were enjoyed, — the most considerable was in 1827. 
 
182 HILLSBOEOUGH COUNTY. 
 
 While lie was pastor 152 were added to the church. Imme- 
 diately after Mr. Lawton's dismission Milton Ward was 
 employed to preach, and on July 23d, 1834, he was ordained 
 as pastor. In aliout a year, his views of church government 
 were clianged, he became an Episcopalian, was dismissed 
 Nov. 10th, 1835. After Mr. Ward left, Kev. Seth Farns- 
 worth supplied tlie desk about a year, and was installed 
 Nov. 23d, 1836. His ministry was eminently successful and 
 happy, though short. On March 26th, 1837, he died very 
 suddenly of a lung fever. While he ministered here, a Meet- 
 ing-house was erected at the Bridge village, the most impor- 
 tant section of the town, with the understanding that he was 
 to preach alternately in each place. The church and congre- 
 gation felt his loss exceedingly, and he is still remembered 
 with great affection. His death was eminently happy. " 
 my Grod," said he in his dying moments, "how sweet, how 
 sweet are the employments of heaven." After an interval of 
 apparent unconsciousness, he lifted irp his eyes and said, 
 " my friends, I thought I was in glory, I have just come 
 from the world of bhss. What happiness, what unspeakable 
 happiness to sing '\\ith angels." With many siich expres- 
 sions on his lips, he passed over Jordan. In the following 
 July Rev. Samuel G. Tenney commenced preacliing, and was 
 installed July 4th, 1838. 
 
 We have now reached a period when the church was di- 
 vided into two, and shall finish the sketch of them under 
 
 their present names. [ sketch Ihus far by Rev. J. Cummings.] 
 
 HILLSBOROUGH CENTEK. 
 Rev. S. H. Parteidge. 
 
 Mr. Tenney was dismissed in 1839, when the other church 
 was formed, with a view of being its pastor, as it arose in the 
 A-illage where he resided. Eev. E. Oleaveland, Eev. B. M. 
 Bailey and Eev. Henry White, each supplied the old church, 
 or church at the Center, a short time in 1839. Feb. 1840, 
 Eev. Gr. W. Adams entered this field and was installed Oct. 
 21st, 1840. He was dismissed Jan. 17th, 1844. Eev. S. H. 
 Tohnan and Eev. Mr. Jones supplied the people a part of 
 the year 1844. 
 
 Eev. Elihu T. Eowe was ordained pastor of the church. 
 May 29, 1845, mth prospects of great usefulness, but his 
 health failed. He was dismissed Nov. 30, 1847. He is now 
 a popular teacher in the Academy at Meriden. Eev. Eob- 
 ert Fage supplied the desk from Aug. 1847 till May 1851. 
 Mr. CO, Durgin, licentiate, preached to the church from 
 
niLLSBOEOUGH. 183 
 
 May 1851 to May 1852. Rev. Mr. Jones, a returned mis- 
 sionary, supplied a few weeks in the summer of 1852. Rev. 
 H. 0. Howland and Rev. James W. Perldns, each suppUed 
 the people for a time. 
 
 Rev. Samuel H. Partridge commenced his labors with the 
 church, Sept. 26, 1852, was ordained pastor May 10, 1853, 
 and is the present pastor of the church. A parsonage was 
 commenced here in the early part of 1843, and completed in 
 1845 at an expense of $ 980. It is a comfortable and con- 
 venient house, owned by individuals in shares of $25 each. 
 
 Such was the religious interest in the place, during Rev. 
 Stephen Chapin's ministry from 1805 to 1808, that 38 were 
 added to the church during that period, many of them by 
 profession. During Rev. John Lawton's ministry several 
 seasons of religious interest were enjoyed which brought con- 
 siderable numbers into the church. In 1827-8 a very pow- 
 erful revival of religion was enjoyed ; 1830, 1838 and 1841 
 were also seasons of revival. Since that time there have 
 been occasional conversions and additions to the cliurch, but 
 no extensive interest. 
 
 The number of persons baptized cannot now be ascertain- 
 ed ; but, with very few exceptions, the members of the church 
 have dedicated their children to God in baptism, and still 
 continue to adhere firmly to the principles of Congregation- 
 ahsm in this matter. The present number of church going- 
 people in the parish, which includes not far from one-third 
 of the territory of the town, is about 200. From 100 to 
 150 are present in the sanctuary on the Sabbath. The high- 
 est number of members in the church, since 1839, was after 
 the revival in 1841, when there were 106 members. Death 
 and removal, with few additions, have diminished the num- 
 ber to 70. 
 
 The following is a copy of a statement made to the town 
 by Mr. Barnes, respecting his salary: — "In the year 1772 
 your Pastor settled with you in this town in the work of the 
 ministry — -when the town promised to give him £ 30 by way 
 of settlement and £ 30 salary annually for the first four years 
 and £ 35 for the next four years, and so increasing, that 
 when there should be 110 families it should be £66 13s and 
 4d — in the year 1775 the war commenced and Paper money 
 was emitted, which soon began to depreciate and the depre- 
 ciation was so rappid that in may 1777, your Pastor gave the 
 whole of his salary for one sucking Calf — the next year he 
 gave the whole for a small store pig in the month of Sep- 
 tember, — the next year viz : 1779 the number of families 
 had increased so as to bring his salary to £ 50. at the close 
 
184 
 
 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. 
 
 of that year, having no glass in the meeting house your pas- 
 tor offered the town one years' salary provided the town 
 would glaze the said house, which was complyed with so far 
 as to glaze it in part — by this time more than three 4ths sum 
 of his settlement was gone — before the close of another year 
 paper money was quite dead, Silver was circulating instead 
 thereof at such a rate as to take 100 Dollars to purchase a 
 yok of oxen, there has not been six years in the whole time 
 since the contract was made that your Pastor has reallised 
 an adequate value aggreeable to the contract, your Pastor 
 has never asked for any consideration, being willing to try 
 to scrabble along with the people while they were in low 
 circumstances." The town indemnified him for his loss. 
 Two aged men, members of the church, state that in youth 
 they were urged to unite with the church, when they had no 
 evidence themselves of having been regenerated, and that, 
 in discussing the question they argued against it and the 
 pastor for it. Facts of this kind which have not yet entirely 
 faded from the memory of the living, go far to show that 
 Arminianism was to be found here, in the earher part of the 
 cliurcli's history, blended with and finally superseded by the 
 theology of the orthodox Congregational churches of New 
 England. Two only of the pastors of this church have lived 
 and died with their people. The grave of Kev. Jonathan 
 Barnes is directly beneath the place wliich he occupied in 
 life — the desk of the first Meeting-house built in this town, 
 which was completed in 1779, and was taken down previous 
 to his death. Kev. John Lawton also was buried among 
 his people, and not only his grave but his influence is to be 
 found here to this day. 
 
 HILLSBOROUGH BRIDGE. 
 Rev. Jacob Cummings. 
 
 On May 29, 1839, a separate church was formed at the 
 Bridge village, of those who could be better convened there. 
 The separation was in good fellowship and faith. The num- 
 ber forming the new church was about seventy, while more 
 than one hundred were left with the old church. Mr. Ten- 
 ney was not installed over the new church, thouo-h he con- 
 tinued to preach to it until the spring of 184^5, when he 
 removed to Wardsboro', Vt. In July of that year, Eev. 
 Jacob Cummings began to preach, and was installed Nov. 15, 
 1843, and yet remams with them. Through failures in busi- 
 ness, deaths and removals,the church has diminished to sixty 
 five, though frequent additions have been made. The cono-re- 
 
HOLLIS. 185 
 
 gation also has decreased in number and pecuniary ability. 
 There are a few Baptists and Methodists in town. There are 
 some deists and atheists of the Abner Kneeland stamp, and 
 a few followers of Theodore Parker. With regard to attend- 
 ance at meetings ; though we now have four or five meetings 
 every Sabbath, yet probably not so many are now found 
 in public worship as used to attend forty years ago, when 
 they had but one place of meeting. Of the 1800 inhabi- 
 tants, probably not more than 600 are found at religious 
 meetings on the Sabbath, except on some very special occa- 
 sion. Infant baptism is very generally practiced by the 
 Congregational church. 
 
 HOLLIS. 
 
 Rev. P. B. Day. 
 
 The first settlement in the tovm of Holhs, then a part of 
 Dunstable, and supposed to be in Massachusetts, was made 
 in the tall of 1730 by Peter Powers. In 1739 the settlers, 
 to the number of 20, petitioned the General Court of Massa- 
 chusetts to be made a parish, or precinct. A grant was 
 obtained bearing date Dec. 28, 1739, under the name of the 
 "West Precinct of Dunstable." The first Meeting-house 
 was erected in 1741, near the site of the ]) resent liouse of 
 worship; and five years after, April 20, 1746, the town was 
 incorporated by the General Court of New Hampshire, it 
 having been previously settled that the "West Precinct of 
 Dunstable" was within the boundary of this State. 
 
 No records exist to show when the church was organized, 
 though it IS supposed that it must have been sometime 
 previous to the settlement of the first minister, Kev. Daniel 
 Emerson, which took place April 20, 1743. Two years after 
 his settlement, there were eleven male members. Mr. 
 Emerson was born in Reading, Ms. May 20, 1716, and was 
 graduated at Harvard 1739. He retained the sole pastorate 
 of the church till Nov. 27, 1793, a period of more tlian fifty 
 years, and was senior pastor till the time of his death Sept. 
 30, 1801. He died at the age of 85, having sustained the 
 pastoral relation fifty eight years. He was a popular and suc- 
 cessful preacher, and much esteemed by his people. For a 
 short time during the French war, he was Chajilain at Crown 
 Point. No record is found of the number of persons admitted 
 to the church during his ministry, but, it was stated to the 
 pastor of the church in 1838 by one of the oldest church 
 13 
 
186 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. 
 
 members in town, that there was a general revival in 1766 
 —one of lesser magnitude in 1772— a general one in 1781, 
 and many conversions dnring the years 1788 and 1789. At 
 the time when a colleague was ordained, there were 200 
 members in the church, and not far from 1500 inhabitants in 
 town. 
 
 Eev. Eh Smith, who was born in Belchertown, Ms. Sept. 
 17, 1759, and graduated at Brown university 1792, was 
 ordained as junior pastor with Mr. Emerson, Nov. 27, 1793. 
 Mr. Smith was a man of strong natural talents, a firm and 
 energetic defender of the truth, and a successful pastor. 
 During his pastorate of a little more than thirty seven years, 
 between 400 and 500 persons were admitted to the church. 
 In a little more than six years 100 members made a profession 
 of their faith. But the great revival of his ministry was in 
 the years 1801 and 1802. At that time 142 imited with 
 the church ; and 30 more became hopefully pious, most of 
 whom subsequently made a profession. In 1811 there was 
 another re-vival, and 30 or 40 were added to the church ; in 
 1817 there was still another, and about 50 were made 
 subjects of renewing grace. Mr. Smith was dismissed in 
 Feb. 1831, and died at Hollis, May 12, 1847. 
 
 Eev. David Perry was installed pastor of the church, Feb. 
 23, 1831. Several revivals occurred under his ministration, 
 and, as the result of eleven years labor, not far from 150 were 
 admitted to the church by letter and profession. He was 
 dismissed at his own request June 13, 1842. 
 
 Aug. 30, 1843, Mr. James Aikin was ordained pastor, 
 which office he retained aboiit five years, and was dismissed, 
 after admitting about 60 to the church, Jvily 3d, 1848. 
 March 21, 1849, Mr. Matthew D, Gordon was ordained 
 pastor, and dismissed on account of ill health June 7, 1852 ; 
 11 persons were admitted to the church during his ministry. 
 He died at Hoosic Falls, N. Y. Aug. 21, 1853. 
 
 July 7, 1852, Eev. P. B. Day was installed pastor, and 
 stiU holds the office ; 57 have united with the church under 
 his ministration. The present number in the church is 
 about 180, 20 less than it contained in 1793, at the time 
 Mr. Emerson ceased to be the sole pastor of the church. It 
 is to be considered, however, that the number of inhabitants 
 in town has diminished since that time from 1500 to 1292 ; 
 a Baptist society has also been formed, and a portion of 
 those who profess religion now are connected with the 
 church in South Merrimack, so that, a greater proportion of 
 the inhabitants than formerly are professors of religion. 
 The salaries of three pastors previous to the last, have been 
 $600— that of the present pastor is $700. 
 
HUDSON. 187 
 
 Tlie contributions of the church and society to benevolent 
 objects have varied during the last few years from $500 to 
 $800. Legacies of several thousands of dollars have been 
 left by members of the church, to the diiferent benevolent 
 associations. The church and society are aided in support- 
 ing the gospel by the Philanthropic Society. This associ- 
 ation commenced operations in 1801. The design of its found- 
 ers was to create a fund by small contributions, the avails of 
 wliich would eventually materially aid if not entirely support 
 the gospel. The funds amounted in Jan. 1855 to $4,943. 
 The charter allows the society to appropriate 12-13ths of its 
 income. About $250 is now appropriated to support the 
 gospel. The society has had three houses of worship on 
 nearly the same site. The first was built in 1746, the 
 second in 1804, and the third in 1849. There have been 
 41 educated for the gospel ministry since the settlement of 
 the town, and 15 for each of the other professions, — law and 
 medicine, beside some who were liberally educated that 
 have engaged in other employments, making in all not far 
 from 75 who were educated for professional life. 
 
 HUDSON. 
 
 Rev. D. L. French. 
 
 The first church in Hudson, (then Nottingham West,) 
 was organized Nov. 30, 1737. It was a Congregational 
 church. On the same day the Kev. Nathaniel Merrill was 
 ordained pastor. It appears from the town records, that from 
 about the year 1746 until Mr. Merrill's death in 1796, diffi- 
 culties existed between him and his people, and at times, 
 great alienation of feeling existed among the members of 
 the church. On July 11, 1774, Mr. Merrill's civil contract with 
 the town was dissolved. There had been many efforts made 
 to prevail upon Mr. Merrill to ask a dismission, but all 
 failed until the above mentioned date. At a legal town 
 meeting held on the 4th of July 1778, " It was then put to 
 vote to see if the town would choose a committee of two 
 men to settle with Mr. Merrill, or to stand his suit at court 
 against the town. Votedin the affirmative." The following 
 is from the pen of the Rev. Mr. Merrill : " I the subscriber 
 for and in consideration of £ 60 lawful money to me in hand 
 paid, or secured to be paid, do, therefore, acquit and dis- 
 charge the inhabitants of the town of Nottingham West, 
 from all demands I now have, or may have hereafter upon 
 
188 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. 
 
 them as a town by virtue of any former agreement or agree- 
 ments, vote or votes made or voted between them and me as 
 their minister, as witness my hand." A kindly spirit seems 
 to have existed toward Mr. Merrill after his dismission ; for 
 from 1774 to 1796, the town frequently voted to raise sums 
 of money for his support and " he was to preach it out." — 
 It is supposed that a Presbyterian church was formed in 
 1771, and had preaching more or less for a few years. 
 
 December 13th, 1790, the town voted " to raise £ 10 to 
 hire preaching, and to employ the Eev. Mr. Parrish if he can 
 be had." April 11, 1791, the town voted to give to the 
 Rev. Ariel Parrish a call to settle in the ministry, and to 
 raise for his support £ 80, and give him as settlement money 
 £ 100. His call was negatived, for, December 20th, 1791, 
 the town voted to give to the Rev. Matthew Scribner another 
 call to settle in the ministry, agreeably to the Westminster 
 confession of faith. This call was not accepted. In June 
 1792, an article to this effect was acted upon in town meet- 
 ing : " To see which constitution of church government, and 
 mode of administration of gospel ordinances the town will 
 vote to receive, whether the Presbyterian constitution agree- 
 able to the Westmnister confession of faith, or agreeable to 
 the Congregational plan of church government, and mode of 
 gospel ordinances." On the above article the town voted, 
 but it was a tie vote. At the same meeting the town voted 
 to raise £ 15 to hire a candidate for settlement in the min- 
 istry. The Eev. Mr. Thompson was employed to ])reach a 
 part of the time in the years 1793 and 1794. In December 
 1795, the town agreed to give Jabez L. Fisher a call to set- 
 tle in the ministry — the number so voting being called for, 
 it was ascertained that 47 had voted to give him a call. On 
 the same day a remonstrance was filed in against giving Mr. 
 Fisher a call. We take an extract from it : " We do detest 
 against paying any part of his settlement or salary, or any 
 money that is voted to support that order, — as we profess to 
 be of a different persuasion, — and pray that this detest may 
 be entered on the town book of records in said town." — 
 Signed by 53 names. After the town voted to accept Mr. 
 Fisher's answer, Jan. 11, 1796, to settle in the town, another 
 protest was filed in, similar to the one above, and signed by 
 fifteen legal voters. He was ordained Feb. 25, 1796, and 
 dismissed in May 1801. From this time for ten or fifteen 
 years, the town raised money more or less for the support of 
 the gospel, excusing Baptists from the tax. In 1816, the 
 members of the Presbyterian and Congregational churches 
 agreed to unite and organize themselves into a Presbyterian 
 
HUDSON. 189 
 
 church, to be put under the care of the Londonderry Pres- 
 bytery. In 1818, the town voted to raise 250 dollars, exclu- 
 sive of the Baptists, to be laid out in Presbyterian preach- 
 ing. 
 
 September 5, 1825, the church gave to Eev. William K. 
 Talbot a call to settle in the ministry, and he was settled 
 and remained about four years. For the last 25 years pre- 
 vious to this, and from 1829 to 1841, the church and town 
 were without a settled minister. September 9, 1841, the 
 church gave up the Presbyterian organization and organized 
 as a Congregational church. In May 1824, they gave a callto 
 Rev. WiUiam Page to settle with them in the ministry. — 
 He was installed August 19, 1844, and dismissed June 28th, 
 1852. 
 
 The Eev. D. L. French commenced preaching as stated 
 supply the first Sabbath in November 1852, — and is still 
 laboring v^dth the church in the gospel ministry. 
 
 There was no special re^avals under Mr. IMerrill's ministry, 
 but some were added to the church by letter, and some by 
 profession. The principal difficulties which existed in the 
 latter part of his ministry, arose from disagreement between 
 the Presbyterian and Congregational views of church polity. 
 He was considered a good man, altliough not a great preach- 
 er. He died the same year that Mr. Fisher was settled. — 
 Mr. Fisher's ministry was not blessed with special revivals. 
 From Mr. Fisher's ministry to the settlement of Mr. Talbot, 
 there was a great deal of division in town, arising from the 
 Baptist and also the Presbyterian and Congregational views. 
 Some years previous to Mr. Talbot's ministry, the two 
 churches had united under the Presbyterian form of govern- 
 ment. So that the state of things in town seemed more 
 settled, and there was a good deal of revival interest the 
 four years that he was here. A portion of the church were 
 very strongly attached to him, and were unwilling he should 
 leave. There was a good deal of excitement under his 
 preaching and probably many false hopes indulged. He was 
 in some respects a peculiar man. From his ministry to Mr. 
 Page's there was some division. Prior to Mr. Page's minis- 
 try, the church agreed to give up the Presbyterian platform, 
 and. become Congregational. Mr. Page's ministry was 
 blessed with very pleasant revivals. From his dismission 
 until the present, there seems to have been a gradual increase 
 of strength, and of numbers who attend public worship. 
 
190 , HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. 
 
 LITCHFIELD. 
 
 Pees. Chfech.— Rev. Ebenezee Newhall. 
 
 This town lies on the east side of the Merrimack river, 
 and opposite to the town of Merrimack. It was incorporat- 
 ed in 1749. Kev. S. T. Allen's Address states that the 
 "early settlers, on what is now called Merrimack and Litch- 
 field, 'acted under a common organization, from 1734 to 
 1746, a period of about twelve years." Their town and 
 church officers were chosen, part from one side, and part 
 from the other side of the river. In the court records, it 
 was known as the township of Naticook ; in their town rec- 
 ords, it was called Litchfield. The early inhabitants were 
 very desirous of estabUshing public worship, and the gospel 
 ministry. Mr. Josiah Brown, and Mr. Isaac Merrill, suc- 
 cessively, received a call to settle in the ministry, neither of 
 whom became their pastor. A committee of two, one from 
 each side of the river, was sent to Newbury, "to treat with 
 Mr. John Tufts, about having his son, Joshua, to preach in 
 Litchfield." Such was the deference paid to parents. 
 
 Eev. Joshua Tufts graduated at Harvard university, in 
 1736; was ordained as jaastor in Litchfield, in 1741. He 
 left in 1744. Under the ministry of Mr. Tufts, and that of 
 his successor, there must have been a church ; but the rec- 
 ords of it we have not foimd. Some time between this 
 period and 1770, no church existed in Merrimack, and they 
 constituted a part of Litchfield church and congregation. 
 And in these sections, it is stated, there was a mutual 
 and commendable interest to provide for public worship, 
 and the sustaining of a preached gospel. The second settled 
 pastor, of whonr we have an account, was Kev. Samuel Cot- 
 ton of Newton, ordained Jan., 1765, — dismissed in 1781 or 
 1784, and died in Claremont, in 1819J From traditionaiy 
 statements, it appears that the character of Mr. Cotton was 
 somewhat eccentric. 
 
 In the reciprocal attitude of Litchfield and Merrimack, it 
 occurred that there was no church in Litchfield for some 
 length of time previous to the year 1809. In that year, 
 (r809,) a Presbyterian church was organized in Litchfield, 
 and Clifton Claggett, Esq. became clerk. He was after- 
 wards known as Judge of Probate. On the records appears 
 a call to Mr. Nathaniel Kennedy, and his answer to the 
 Presbyterian church of Litchfield, to become their pastor. 
 A letter of petition to Kev. William Morrison of London- 
 derry, to call a meeting of the Presbytery, on April 12, 
 
LITCHFIELD. 191 
 
 1809, at the house of CHfton Claggett, Esq., to ordain Mr. 
 Nathaniel Kennedy, is on record. Mr. Kennedy was the 
 third pastor — and he continued pastor of the Presby- 
 terian church in Litchfield till April 1812, at which time he 
 was dismissed. The Meeting-house was the property of the 
 town. He was ordained Oct. 25, 1815. In Feb. 1818, we 
 find a record of liis death, at the age of 30 years. His praise 
 is still heard among the good people. When Hon. Clifton 
 Claggett resigned the clerkship in the Session of Elders, 
 Dea. Joseph Barnes was appointed to succeed him, and Kev. 
 E. Pillsbury's death is recorded by him. We next find 
 Dea. Thomas Bixby clerk of the Session, and in Oct. 1826, 
 the meeting was held at the house of the pastor, Eev. John 
 Shearer, — the fifth ^Dastor in Litchfield. In 1838, we find 
 the name of Joseph Chase, as clerk of the church and the 
 Session. He was one of the elders of the church. In 
 March and April, 1809, Joseph Barnes, Clifton Claggett, 
 Esq., Thomas Bixby, John Underwood, Matthew Parker, 
 were elected Elders of this church. In Oct. 1817, William 
 Bead was ordained Elder. In Nov. 1827, Jolm Parker and 
 Joseph Chase, jr. were, by Kev. E. L. Parker, ordained 
 Elders in this church. It is observable, that there were 
 admissions to the church, of several at a time, soon after its 
 formation. During the summer of 1809, 12 were received ; 
 in the autumn of 1810, the church had an accession of 6 ; 
 in 1827, 14. Up to 1842, 6 persons were excommunicated. 
 The returns of the church in 1827, show its resident mem- 
 bers to have been 39. In July, 1842, pursuant to previous 
 notice, the Elders of the Presbyterian church in Litchfield 
 held a meeting and considered the state of the church. And, 
 in view of "the difficulties, trials, and perplexities, with 
 which they had to contend," concluded to disband, and 
 unite with the churches in Merrimack, Nashua, Hudson, 
 and Londonderry ; and when occasion should occur for estab- 
 hshing orthodox worship in Litchfield, "the members should 
 return and lend their aid." During the vacancies in the 
 pastorate, and the sad reverses in this society, not many 
 of the names of the stated supplies can be obtained ; nor 
 did all the incumbents well "fulfil the ministry they had 
 received." 
 
 In July, 1844, the Londonderry Presbytery, at the call of 
 the moderator, met at Litchfield and dedicated a new house 
 of worship, on which occasion Rev. Mr. Wood preached the 
 sermon. The Presbytery at the same meeting, re-organized 
 and constituted a Presbyterian church. Rev. Mr. Bradford 
 preached the sermon. Jan. 5, 1845, the church met and 
 
192 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. 
 
 elected their Elders. Eev. Mr. Brainerd presided, as mod- 
 erator. John Parker, Moses Chase, and Andrew Lydston, 
 were elected Elders. The constitutional questions were pro- 
 posed, and Moses Chase and Andrew Lydston were ordain- 
 ed to the eldership, by "the laying on of hands" and prayer. 
 Mr. Parker had been before ordained. Dea. Moses Chase 
 was chosen clerk of Session. 
 
 In Oct. 1845, Mr. William H. Porter received an imata- 
 tion from the church, (Eev. Mr. Brainerd acting as modera- 
 tor,) to become their pastor. He was ordained according to 
 usage, by Londonderry Presbytery, and was dismissed in 
 1848. Previous to Mr. Porter's settlement, Eev. Messrs. 
 Wood and Miltimore preached here as stated supplies. The 
 church had successively the labors and ministrations of sev- 
 eral supplies — Mr. Fuller, Mr. Page, Mr. Blanchard, Mr. 
 Tuttle, and others. The latter part of 1852, or first of 
 1853, the Session and church invited Eev. S. N. Howel to 
 become their pastor. He supplied them some months, but 
 did not accede to their recpiest. 
 
 In June, 1854, Eev. Ebenezer Newhall received a call 
 from the couoTeKation, in concurrence with the session and 
 the church, to become their pastor. The call was accepted. 
 The Session, in August, designated a day for installation — 
 Sept. 27th. On that day the Londonderry Presbytery, at 
 the call of the moderator, met and performed the services of 
 installation. Eev. Benjamin E. AUen preached the sermon. 
 The present pastor is the seventh. The Eev. Benjamin 
 Chase, now residing in Natches, had his birth and his early 
 training here. 
 
 LYNDEBOEOUGH. 
 
 Rev. E. B. Claggett. 
 
 The unsuccessful attempt to make the conquest of Cana- 
 da, by some of the EngUsh Colonies in 1690, had an impor- 
 tant connection with the character and history of the people 
 in Lyndeborough. Forty six years after this event, "the 
 Great and General Court of Massachusetts Bay" gave to 
 Capt. Samuel King and 59 others, who were engaged in that 
 perilous attempt, a township of land, as a reward for their 
 courage and sufferings. The township selected for this pur- 
 pose was situated in the province of New Hampshire. It 
 received, first, the name of Salem Canada, afterwards, that 
 of Lyndeborough. Capt. King and his company belonged 
 
LYNDEBOEOUGH. 193 
 
 to Salem and its vicinity, and a considerable portion of the 
 first settlers of that towTishij) came trom that i)art of Massa- 
 chusetts. They bronght with them in 1739 and onward, the 
 Bible and Catechism, with somewhat of the puritan charac- 
 ter and puritan sentiments. At an early period they had a 
 framed Meeting-house and public worship ; but owing prob- 
 ably to the tardy settlement of the place, a church was not 
 organized until 1757. Prior to its formation, it was " voted," 
 at a meeting of the people, " to keep a day of fasting and 
 prayer for the blessing of Almighty (lod in choosing a min- 
 ister, and settling church order. Voted also, to send for 
 Eev. Daniel Wilkins, of Souhegan West, Kev. Daniel Emer- 
 son of HoUis, and Rev. Joseph Emerson of Pepperill, to car- 
 ry on the worship of said day of fasting, and give their ad- 
 vice in the weighty affair of settling a minister." 
 
 On the 5tli of December, 1757, a church consisting rif eight 
 men was organized, and on the 7th of the same month Rev. 
 John Rand, who had received a unanimous call, was ordained 
 its pastor, by a council of four ministers and five delegates. 
 We cannot ascertain the exact amount of his salary, but the 
 records show that he was to receive a specified quantity of 
 wood, with a certain allowance from the proprietors of the 
 township, while the Society " voted to give him one shilling 
 for each soul in town, and to increase the number of shillings 
 according to the increase of the number of souls." He also 
 had liberty to preach six Sabbaths a year, for his own pecun- 
 iary benefit, to the destitute in other towns. Soon after the 
 ordination of their pastor, they began, for the better accom- 
 modation of the people, to build another Meeting-house, on 
 what was called Rocky Hill. This was not long used, how- 
 ever, for public worsliip, for in 1772, a large and sulistantial 
 church edifice was completed, which was occupied for the 
 period of sixty five years, when the present commodious 
 house was erected by individual enterprise, and made the 
 property, not of the town, as was the case with the jjrcceding 
 ones, but, of the Congregational society. The pastorate of 
 Mr. Rand was a brief one for those days. Early in the 
 spring of 1761, it appears that difliculty existed (the origin 
 and nature of which are not recorded) which led to the 
 calling of a council, and on the 8th of April the ensuing 
 year, his pastoral relation was dissolved, four years and four 
 months from the date of his ordination. For about five 
 years from this event, the pulpit was supplied by several 
 different clergymen. In the meantime the proprietors of 
 the township who lived in Massachusetts, desirous of encour- 
 aging the settlement of " a learned, oHhodox minister " in 
 
194 HILLSBOKODGH COUNTY. 
 
 Lyndeborough, " voted to pay to the order of the town, for 
 such minister, the sum of c€ 33 6s 8d annually for the space 
 of five years ;" and at the same time they made a " grant of 
 two hundred acres of land to such person, his heirs and as- 
 signs forever." 
 
 In 1767 the people extended a unanimous call to the Eev. 
 Sewall Goodridge to settle among them, the town voting 
 him "a settlement" of £50 sterling, with an annual salary 
 of <£ 40 until there should be seventy families in town, then 
 £ 45 until there should be one himdred famihes, after wliich 
 he should receive £50 annually. Mr. Goodridge accepted 
 this call on the condition that he should have the privilege 
 of selecting the two hundred acres which the_ proprietors 
 have granted, and receive from them an addition to his 
 "settlement" of about 128 dollars. The proprietors com- 
 plying with his proposal, he was ordained Sept. 7th, 1768. 
 Mr. Goodridge married his wife in Danvers. His bringing 
 her to town was an interesting event among his people, 
 many of whom went out to meet them. They came in a 
 two wheeled chaise, a vehicle that had scarcely been seen in 
 any of our towns at that early period. Mr. Jacob Wellman 
 was decidedly of the opinion that they woiild not be able to 
 come through with the carriage, or at least that the lady 
 would not have courage to ride in it. Accordingly he sad- 
 dled and jji'S/omec? his horse, thinking he might have the 
 honor of bringing the bride himself. But it was finally con- 
 cluded that the minister and his wife should both keep their 
 seats, while six strong men followed beliind to keep the 
 chaise right side uj}. 
 
 Mr. Goodridge is believed to have preached sound doctrine, 
 and the early part of his ministry seems to have been highly 
 blest. Many were added to the church — not less than twen- 
 ty four the second year after his ordination. But for|several 
 years towards the close of his life, he was greatly disabled by 
 physical infirmities. He continued, however, the pastor of 
 tliis church till his connection with it was dissolved by death, 
 March 14th, 1809. He departed this life in the sixty sixth 
 year of his age, and in the forty first of his ministry among 
 this people. His death occurred town meeting day, and the 
 following record is both interesting and commendable : "The 
 melancholy news of the death of our pastor, the Eev. Sewall 
 Goodridge, being announced by Dea. Peter Clark, — voted, 
 unanimously, to assist the bereaved family at the fimeral, 
 and in burying our pastor. Voted to choose a committee of 
 seven, and instruct them to bury the Rev. Mr. Goodridge in 
 a respectful and ministerial manner, — to request all the min- 
 
LTNDEBOEOUGH. 195 
 
 isters of this vicinity to attend, make provision for their en- 
 tertainment, and pay all funeral charges." It may ho inter- 
 esting also to state, in this connection, that in time of the 
 war of the American Revolution, the town held a meeting, 
 at which they voted, in consideration of the high prices and 
 increased expense of liviiui, to add to the salary of Rev. Mr. 
 Groodridge. He was, by the way, eminently a liberty loving 
 man, and his feelings were warmly enlisted in the cause of 
 the colonies. 
 
 During a little more than two years from the death of Mr. 
 Goodridge, the church was without a pastor. Several min- 
 isters supplied the pulpit at different times, to some of whom 
 invitations to settle were extended. A call was given to Rev. 
 J. Crosby, now a Unitarian clergj^man. The appointed day 
 of his ordination came ; a large number of people from this 
 and the neighboring towns assembled, and waited for public 
 services to commence. But during the examination of the 
 candidate, a remonstrance signed by three prominent mem- 
 bers of the church, expressing their fears of unsoundness in 
 his theology, induced the council to refuse him ordination. 
 Thus the town was saved from the leaven of Unitarian the- 
 ology, and the way kept open for a prophet to "come in the 
 fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ." 
 
 Not long after this, Rev. Nathaniel Merrill received a 
 unanimous call, and was constituted pastor of this church, 
 Oct. 30, 1811. At the time of his ordination, the number 
 belonging to the church was 108. During the first twelve 
 years of his pastorate, 179 more were added. But at no 
 period, since the organization of the church, have the riches 
 of divine grace been so signally manifested as in the year 
 1826. For a considerable season, previous to this, the church 
 was in deep declension and the slumber of false security 
 seems to have settled upon all the people. The services of 
 the Sabbath were but thinly attended, and jsraycr meetings 
 were in a great measure neglected. The few who mourned 
 over the desolations of Zion and prayed for the salvation of 
 the lost, seemed about to give up in utter discouragement. 
 To them it was a dark and solemn day. But they resolved 
 to appoint one more prayer meeting, and make renewed ex- 
 ertions to secure a larger attendance. Their cry was heard, 
 and their efforts blest. The meetings were increased, and it 
 was manifest that the Spirit of God was present. Soon the 
 place of assembling became too strait. A great awakening 
 began. The work so increased, that, to use the language 
 of Mr. Merrill, " there were very few families in which there 
 were not some who seemed to be either deeply impressed, or 
 
196 HILLSBOKOUGH COUNTY. 
 
 to be rejoicing in hope of salvation. The Spirit of the Lord 
 seemed to come down like a mighty wind, prostrating siii- 
 ners and bringing them submissively to Christ. In this 
 work, God was in a striking manner pleased to honor his 
 own institutions. Though some were brought in who were 
 open despisers of divine truth, of Christians, and of the ho- 
 ly Sabbath, yet nearly all who were hopeful subjects of con- 
 verting power had been accustomed to attend on the means 
 of grace. Those parts of the town where the people uni- 
 formly attended religious worship were the parts most sig- 
 nally blest, while, in the neighborhoods where the families 
 generally absented themselves from the house of God, there 
 were only a very few hopeful conversions — a solemn fact 
 speaking volumes on the importance of giving constant at- 
 tention to the means of grace." As the fruits of this revival 
 107 soon made a profession of feith in Christ. During the 
 remaining nine years of Kev. Mr. Merrill's pastorate, 105 
 more were added to the church. His ministry was one of 
 great success and blessed results. But, considerable difficul- 
 ty arising in respect to the " ministerial fund," which was 
 eventually diverted from its proper use, and the town ceas- 
 ing, from sectarian feelings, from indifference or opposition 
 to evangelical truth, to afford him an adequate support, the 
 good man began to be disheartened, and thinking his useful- 
 ness among tliis people Ibss than it might be elsewhere, he 
 was, at liis own request, on the 28th of July, 183.5, in the 
 24th year of his pastorate, honorably dismissed, for the pur- 
 pose of entering another field of labor. 
 
 In October following, a call was extended to Kev. Jacob 
 White, who was ordained and installed the pastor of this 
 church, Jan. 13, 1836. In regard to his ministry here, Mr. 
 White himself speaks in terms of commendable modesty, 
 just one year prior to his dismission : " Since my settle- 
 ment, no special divine influence has attended my feeble 
 efforts. Eleven only have united with the church, while 
 double this number have been removed from it by death and 
 other causes. Though many in town uniformly absent 
 themselves from the public worship of God, still it is said 
 the number that meets with us on the Sabbath is larger 
 than it was some years ago." It was during his mi nistry 
 that the present house of worship was erected, and an excel- 
 lent parsunage house was built. Difficulty at length arose 
 between Mr. White and a portion of his people, which led to 
 the calling of a council. Although the council found noth- 
 ing in their investigation of the case " to impair their confi- 
 dence in Mr. White as a Christian, and faithful minister of 
 
LYNDEBOROUGH. 197 
 
 the gospel of Christ," yet such was the state of feeling 
 among the people, and such the pastor's views in respect to 
 his comfort and usefulness, it was deemed best to clissolvc 
 his relation to the church and society, the same to take ef- 
 fect June 30, 1840, making the period of his pastorate about 
 four years and a half It required some time, after the dis- 
 mission of Mr. White, for the agitation to subside, and the 
 people to become calm. After a few months the services of 
 Kev. W. Richardson were secured, who acted as stated sup- 
 ply for nearly two years. His course is thought to have 
 been judicious, and his influence salutary. 
 
 Rev. Ivory Kimball was at length invited to settle, and, 
 having signified his acceptance, was installed Dec. 28, 1842. 
 For several months after his installation, Mr. KimbaU la- 
 bored with great earnestness and zeal. His labors were at- 
 tended wish some special religious interest, and a few hope- 
 ful conversions. During his pastorate fourteen were added 
 to the church, eight by profession. During the latter part 
 of his ministry here he was greatly afflicted with ill health, 
 wdiich at length rendered his dismission necessary. This 
 took place at his own request, Feb. 24, 1846. He removed 
 to Maine, where he died about three years ago greatly 
 lamented. He was a good man, a faithful and earnest 
 preacher. 
 
 Sept. 30, 1846, Mr, E. B. Claggett, a graduate of Ando- 
 ver theological seminary, was ordained and constituted tlie 
 pastor of this people, with whom lie has labored in the gos- 
 pel ministry nine years. Within this period the society has 
 paid its debts to the amount of several hundred dollars, a 
 church bell has been procured, and the minister's salary in- 
 creased. There have been hopeful conversions, but more re- 
 movals than additions to the church. Such is the history of 
 the orthodox Congregational church organized in Lyndebo- 
 rougli ninety eight years ago. From that day to the pres- 
 ent, as many as 805 have united with it, exclusive of some 
 whose names may have been lost in consequence of a chasm 
 of several years in the records prior to 1809. Of this num- 
 ber about 100 are still members of the church, while many 
 that have Ijcen dismissed are scattered abroad. Ten from 
 this church have been licensed to preach the gospel. There 
 is no record of infant baptisms for ten years after the organ- 
 ization of the churcli, and none for more than twenty years 
 prior to 1809. The whole number recorded is 868. Proba- 
 bly not less than a thousand have received the rite. In re- 
 gard to the state of morality and religion forty years ago as 
 compared with the present, there is reason to believe that 
 
198 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. 
 
 there has been decided improvement in this parish, which 
 embraces over two thirds of the population of the town. Be- 
 sides occasional legacies, we contribute about two hundred 
 dollars a year for benevolent objects. 
 
 A Calvinist Baptist church was organized in South Lynde- 
 borough, Doc. 10, 1829. It contained 22 members, most of 
 whom were gathered from adjacent towns. Though its suc- 
 cess has been limited, and its discouragements many, yet it 
 still lives, and its prospects appear to brighten under the 
 ministry of Eev. E. J. Emery. The whole number of mem- 
 bers from first to last is 102. And the church is reported as 
 liavina; sent out three ministers. 
 
 MANCHESTER. 
 
 FinsT Cong. Chdrch. — Rev. C. W. Wallace. 
 
 A Presbyterian church was organized in Manchester, on 
 the 21st of May, 1828. The means of grace enjoyed by this 
 church were very limited. There was no house of worship 
 of which it had the exclusive control. It never was blessed 
 with the labors of a settled pastor. Eev. Wm. K. Talbot 
 supphed the pulpit for a few months after the organization 
 of the church. In 1833 Mr. Benjamin F. Foster was ordain- 
 ed as an evangelist, and divided his labors for some time 
 between this chm-ch and the church at Amoskeag. For a 
 number of years, however, this church was almost entirely 
 destitute of the stated means of grace. 
 
 A Congregational church was organized in Amoskeag vil- 
 lage, Dec. 2, 1828. This church was situated on the oppo- 
 site side of the Merrimack river, and about three miles dis- 
 tant from the Presbyterian church before mentioned. Its 
 condition was very similar to that church, although it enjoy- 
 ed to a greater extent the stated preaching of the gospel. 
 But hke the other, it never had a settled pastor or a house 
 it could control. Among those who supplied this church 
 with preaching, was Rev. B. F. Foster, before mentioned. 
 Rev. Mr. Noble, Rev. Mr. French, afterwards missionary at 
 Siam, Rev. Mr. Stone, and Mr. C. W. Wallace. The last 
 named commenced his labors with tliis church on the last 
 Sabbath in April 1839. About the same time this church 
 commenced holding meetings at the new village of Manches- 
 ter. This was done with the advice and concurrence of the 
 members of the Presbyterian church, as well as other friends 
 of Christ in the neighborhood. This was the first regular 
 
(3 
 
 MANCHESTER. 199 
 
 Sabbatli service which was commenced and sustained in 
 what is now the heart of the city of Manchester. During 
 the summer of 1839, it became apparent that the interests 
 of rehgion would be advanced by a union of the Presbyterian 
 church at Manchester center and the Congregational church 
 at Amoskeag village, and to have the same, when united, 
 located at the new village of Manchester. This union was 
 eifected Aug. 15, 1839, and the church thus formed became 
 what is now The First Co7ig7-egational CJmrch in the city of 
 Manchester. Previous to this union, Moses Noyes was the 
 deacon of the Presbyterian church, and Daniel Farmer of the 
 Congregational church, and by agreement of parties they 
 retained the same office in the new church. The articles of 
 faith and covenant, and the name of the Amoskeag church, 
 were accepted. The articles are strongly Calvanistic in doc- 
 trine. At the time of the union the church consisted of 28 
 members. Since that time 424 have been added — 298 by 
 letter and 126 by profession of faith — making 452. Of these 
 four have been excluded — 39 have deceased — 128 have been 
 dismissed to other churches, and 273 is the number of the 
 present membership. 
 
 Soon after the organization of the church in its present 
 form, Nahum Baldwin and Hiram Brown were chosen dea- 
 cons, and at a later period, 1848, Henry Lancaster and Hol- 
 brook Chandler were appointed to the same office. All these 
 brethren still survive, and have ever been united with the 
 pastor in maintaining the order, discipline, harmony and 
 spirituahty of the church, and have thereby added much to 
 his usefulness as a minister of Christ. Seasons of religious 
 interest have been enjoyed. In 1842, 26 were received on 
 profession of faith ; in 1850, 17 ; and in 1852, 12. No year 
 has passed without some additions to the church by profes- 
 sion. And not a few have been converted, who have united 
 with other churches as they returned to their homes in other 
 parts of the State. General peace and harmony have pre- 
 vailed among the members of tins church. They have been 
 united in doctrine, in labors to promote spirituality, and in 
 regard to the moral questions of the day. In respect to aU 
 these subjects, they have been found walking, in a good 
 degree, in the fear of God and in the comfort of the Holy 
 Ghost. The contributions of this church for charitable pur- 
 poses, during some years past, have been between $700 and 
 ^1000. 
 
 In April, 1838, a religious society was formed at Amos- 
 keag. It was known by the name of TJie First Congrega- 
 tional Society in Amoskeag callage. The spirit and design 
 
200 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. 
 
 of this society may be seen from the following extract from 
 the Preamlile : " The object of this association is to support 
 and enjoy more effectually the institutions of our holy reli- 
 gion. Our belief is in the reality of a Divine Eevelation, 
 our desire is to laiow its truths — zealously to maintain 
 these is our fixed purpose. We unite in the fear of God. 
 For success our hope is in the riches of his mercy. Praying 
 for divine assistance, for purity of intention, mutual affec- 
 tion, a love for the truth and a holy concern for our best 
 interests, we unite for the furtherance of our object." At 
 the organization of the society, Daniel Farmer was chosen 
 president, and Geo. W. Kimball secretary. The name of 
 the society has since been changed to The Congregational 
 Societii in 3Ianchester. Among the first things attempted 
 by this society was the erection of a house of worship. Va- 
 rious plans were proposed and difterent sites were mention- 
 ed. Finally, in the spring of 1839, the society commenced 
 building their present house of worshij). It was completed 
 the following autumn, and dedicated in November of the 
 same year. The house is built of wood — 64 feet wide by 81 
 long, without galleries or a tower, and at an expense includ- 
 ing laird of about $5500, though the land, valued at about 
 $500, was given by the " Amoskeag Land and Water Power 
 Company." The house contained 122 pews and would 
 accommodate about 650 persons. At a subsequent period 
 this house was enlarged. It is now 100 feet long and 64 
 wide — contains 164 pews and will accommodate 900 persons. 
 The expense of the enlargement was about $3000. The 
 society also own a vestry which cost about $1500. They 
 have an organ in their house of worship wliich cost about 
 $ 1500. Other additions and improvements have been made, 
 which, together with the increased value of property in this 
 city, would make the whole amount of the property of the 
 society at the present time, about $14,000 or $15,000, on 
 which there is a debt of $6000. All the expenses of the 
 support of the institutions of religion are sustained by a tax 
 on the pews, which are owned by the society. For the year 
 1854 the amount collected was $2674,63. This society has 
 always made a liberal provision for the support of the gospel, 
 as well as having allowed their pastor seasons of rest, and 
 supplying the pulpit during his absence. 
 
 Mr. C. W. Wallace, then a licentiate of the Londonderry 
 Presbytery, commenced his labors in connection with the 
 first Congregational church and society on the last iSabbath 
 in April, 1839. He did not commence preaching as a can- 
 didate for settlement He continued, however, to supply the 
 
MANCHESTER. 201 
 
 pulpit until Nov. of the same year, when he received a call 
 to settle as the pastor of the church and society. The call 
 was accepted, and on the 8th of Jan. 1840, he was ordained. 
 Of the council convened on this occasion, Rev. C. P. Brad- 
 ford was chosen moderator. Rev. J. Clement scribe, and Rev. 
 E. L. Parker assistant scribe. Thirteen churches were invi- 
 ted to be represented on the council, each having a pastor. 
 Of these, only Rev. Thomas Savage of Bedford retains the 
 position then occupied, while the moderator, the assistant 
 scribe. Rev. Dr. Burnham of Pembroke who offered the 
 introductory prayer, and Rev, U. C. Buruap of Lowell who 
 preached the sermon, have been called to their rest and 
 reward. The pastor of this church was the hrst minister 
 ever ordained and installed in the town, and his settlement 
 occurred ninety years after the town was incorporated. 
 
 Some facts connected with the early history of this town 
 may be worthy of a permanent record. Soon after the 
 incorporation of the to^\Ti, efforts were made to support the 
 gospel. In 1753 a call was extended to Rev. Mr. McDowell 
 to settle in the ministry. He declined. Twenty years after, 
 a call was j'resented to Rev. fieorge Gilmore. He likewise 
 declined, and the town continued to employ some clergyman 
 to preach a few Sabbaths each year. But it docs not appear 
 that any minister was ever settled in this town or became a 
 permanent resident of it, until a very recent period. In the 
 latter part of the last century, a house of worship! was 
 erected but never entirely finished. It was occupied only a 
 portion of the time. As a striking collateral fact, and an 
 evidence that the gospel promotes education, it is worthy of 
 notice, that, it was not until very near the close of the last 
 century that public schools were established in this town. — 
 As one of the results of this absence of the gospel and pub- 
 lic schools, for nearly a century after the settlement of the 
 town, neither lawyer, doctor, or minister, were found among 
 its permanent inhabitants. And so far as known no man born 
 in to^vn during that period, devoted his life to the pursuit 
 of either of those professions. In tliis respect however, there 
 is now a very decided improvement. The Presbyterian 
 church was the first church organized in town. Soon after, 
 a Methodist church was formed which still continues. The 
 whole number of religious societies of all denominations 
 wthin tlie city is tliirteen, viz : three Congregational, two 
 Episcopal Methodist, one Wesleyan Methodist, two Bap- 
 tist, one Free Will Baptist, one Episcopal, one Papal 
 church, one Unitarian, one Universalist. 
 14 
 
202 HILLSBOKOUGH COUNTY. 
 
 MANCHESTER. 
 
 Franklin St. Cutjrch.— Rev. S. C. B.irtleti. 
 
 This, the second Congregational church, was formed in 
 1844, by colonization from the First church. The crowded 
 state of that congregation, and the prosj^ect of a rapid influx 
 of population into the city, had led many indi^dduals, includ- 
 ing the pastor of the First church, seriously to consider the 
 expediency of organizing a second church and society. The 
 first public m(wement was made on the 27th of April. — 
 After the adjournment of the annual meeting of the First 
 Congregational society, held on that day, another meeting 
 was organized by the persons present, and a resolution was 
 introduced, affirming the expediency of immediate measures 
 for the formation of a second church and society. The 
 Eesolution was discussed and laid upon the table ; and a 
 committee, consisting of Rev. C. W. Wallace, Asa 0. Colby, 
 Abram Brigham, Andrew Moody and W. G. Means, (all pro- 
 fessors of religion,) was appointed to make further inquiries. 
 After one week, the committee reported strongly in favor of 
 the project ; and the Resolution of the previous meeting 
 was adopted. On the 7th of May, at a meeting pubhcly 
 called for the purpose, a constitution for a second Congrega- 
 tional society was presented, discussed, adopted, and signed 
 by sixteen individuals. Josiah Crosby, M.D., was chosen 
 President, and Abram Brigham, Clerk and Treasurer. Legal 
 notice of the existence of the Society was given in the Man- 
 chester Memorial on the 23d of May, signed by twenty six 
 individuals. The society immediately hired the town haU 
 as a place of worship, at a rent of $150 a year, and com- 
 menced public services on the first Sabbath of Jime. 
 
 A committee had been appointed on the 20th of May, to 
 confer with the First church on the expediency of forming a 
 a new church. The result was, that an ecclesiastical council 
 of ministers and delegates from nine neighboring churches— 
 
 Eev. A. Burnham, moderator, and Rev. P. B. Day, scribe, 
 
 assembled on the 27th of June 1844, at the house of Rev. 
 C. W. Wallace ; and on the same day organized the second 
 Congregational, now named The FranUin Street Church. 
 It was composed of twenty members ; eight of them from 
 the First church, and the remainder, members of various 
 churches, who had been waiting for this movement. David 
 Brigham was the first deacon chosen, and Thomas Carleton 
 the second. 
 
 The first pastor was Henry M. Dexter, then recently from 
 
MANCHESTER. 203 
 
 Andover theological seminary, who received a unanimous 
 call, and was ordained Nov. 6, 1844. Sermon by Rev. E. N. 
 Kirk of Boston. Salary, $ 800 the first year, $ 900 the sec- 
 ond, $ 1000 afterwards. After a faithful ministry, Mr. Dex- 
 ter was dismissed March 14, 1849, to the very deep regret 
 of the church and people. He was succeeded by Eev. Henry 
 S. Clarke, installed September 26th of the same year ; ser- 
 mon by Rev. Walter Clarke of Hartford, Conn. On account 
 of his health, Mr. Clarke, after an acceptable ministry, was 
 dismissed July 1, 1852. 
 
 The present incumbent. Rev. Samuel C. Bartlett, was in- 
 stalled Nov. 3, 1852 ; sermon by Rev. N. Lord, D.D. The 
 salary was, in March 1854, by spontaneous and unanimous 
 vote of the society raised to $ 1200. 
 
 From the formation of the church the number of members 
 received by profession is 105, and by letter, 262. Present 
 number of members 246. No powerful revivals have been 
 enjoyed. The means of grace, however, have been accom- 
 panied by occasional influences of the Divine Spirit. In the 
 year 1850, 25 individuals were received to the church by 
 profession. During the year ending July 3, 1854, 21 were 
 added in like manner, nearly all being members of the Sab- 
 bath School. 
 
 The history of this church and society has been marked 
 by much wisdom and efficiency, and entire harmony of action. 
 The enterprise was commenced among a population then so 
 changing, that of the first 60 members of the church, only 
 20 remain at the end of ten years. They experienced very 
 serious embarrassments in securing a place of worshiji. — 
 They were called to part with two successful pastors in the 
 first eight years. But every movement from the beginning 
 has been maturely considered and firmly made. The enter- 
 prise was commenced with the full and liearty concurrence 
 of the First church. Stable men took charge of it. The 
 means of support were ascertained before a preacher was 
 engaged. A church edifice was not erected till it could be 
 done so as to meet the permanent wants of the congrega- 
 tion. However reluctant to part with their pastors, the 
 people have done it in kindness, and united perfectly upon 
 their successors. The pastoral office has been left vacant 
 the shortest practicable time ; and the endeavor has been 
 made to introduce into the pulpit only those candidates, in 
 regard to whom there was supposed to be some reasonable 
 prospect of mutual satisfaction. The society has thus main- 
 tained a high degree of outward prosperity, and has attained 
 the stability of older congregations. 
 
204 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. 
 
 The first place of worship was the Town hall. In ten 
 weeks the hall was burnt ; and the congregation temporarily 
 occupied a small chapel now stanting on Central street ; then 
 Patten's hall ; and subsequently the new City hall. The 
 project of erecting a house of worship, which was contem- 
 plated from the beginning, began to be seriously agitated in 
 1846. Subscriptions to the amount of $ 2900 were raised 
 to commence the effort. A lot of land on Franklin street was 
 given to the society, by the liberality of the Amoskeag Man- 
 ufacturing Company. A plan was prepared by a committee, 
 in consultation with Mr. Bond, an arcliitect of Boston. — 
 The house was commenced early in 1847, and dedicated 
 December 22nd of the same year. Sermon by the pastor, 
 Eev. H. M. Dexter. It is a neat edifice of brick, measuring 
 ninety feet by seventy, with an audience room capable of 
 seating 1050 persons. The basement contains a large lec- 
 ture room, a smaller one, and a third room fitted up for com- 
 mittee meetings, sewing circles and similar purposes. The 
 house and fixtures cost about $ 12,000 ; besides the organ, 
 built by Simmons of Boston, at a cost of $ 1900 more. 
 
 The church observes the Montlily Concert and the Sab- 
 bath School Concert of prayer on the first two Sabbaths of 
 each month, and meetings for prayer and Christian confer- 
 ence on the remaining Sabbath evenings. There is a weekly 
 lecture or a conference meeting on Thursday evening, at 
 which time all ordinary church business is transacted. Can- 
 didates for admission to the church are examined by the 
 standing committee. Members received from other churches 
 by letter, publicly assent to the covenant. The Sabbath 
 School is continued through the year ; and teachers' meetings 
 are regularly held. Tliere is a Maternal Association, the 
 children being present at the quarterly meetings ; and a La- 
 dies' Sewing Circle once a fortnight, accompanied during the 
 winter by a social gathering in the evening. 
 
 Money is raised for tlie support of the gospel by rent of 
 the pews. Collections are taken in church for benevolent 
 objects, regularly once in two months ; also at the Monthly 
 concert and Sabbath School concert ; and money is raised for 
 Foreign Missions and for the City Mission by subscription. 
 The amount thus collected in 1854 was $870. Other con- 
 siderable sums solicited among the society by agents for 
 louses not on the regular list, are not inchided. 
 
MANCHESTER. 205 
 
 MANCHESTER. 
 
 CUEISTIAN Mission Church. — Rev. T. P. Sawin. 
 
 In the spring of 1847, Eev. J. L. Sejonour was employed 
 by the friends of rehgion to act as city missionary in this 
 place. A hall was rented, in which he opened a Sabhath 
 School and conducted religions service. The idea of institut- 
 ing a Free Chapel was suggested and favorably regarded. — 
 To this object the "Amoskeag Manufiicturing and Water 
 Power Company," gave a lot of land considered worth 
 $1000, and by the contribution of individuals and also of 
 the Congregational and Presbyterian churches of the State, 
 the building was completed in the fall of 1850, at an 
 expense of about $ 3000, capable of seating 400 people. 
 
 The "Manchester City Missionary Society" was legally 
 organized April 24, 1850, and hold the property by a tenure 
 requiring "that no rent or tax shall be assessed on any slip 
 or seat in said house of public worship, and that it forever 
 be kept open and free for the poor in the city of Manches- 
 ter." 
 
 The society employs a clerical missionary and meets its 
 annual expenses; 1st, by the income of $1000, bequeathed 
 for the purpose by the late Thomas D. Merrill of Concord ; 
 2d, by the appropriation of $150 by the State Missionary 
 Society ; 3d, by donations or contributions from the two 
 Congregational churches in the city and in the chapel. Du- 
 ring the erection of the chapel no missionary was employed, 
 and Rev. Mr. Seymour having been called to another field 
 of labor, Rev. T. P. Sawin, then of Harwich, Ms., was invit- 
 ed, who commenced his duties April, 1851. After a few 
 months, it was thought desirable, especially by those who 
 labored in the Mission Sabbath School and attended the 
 chapel service, that a church be organized into which might 
 be gathered the results of missionary labor. This was effect- 
 ed by an ecclesiastical council, Dec. 30, 1852, under its 
 present name ; 17 members were then united in covenant, 
 to which 10 were added within two months. The whole 
 number that have united is 44 ; deducting the dismissions 
 and deaths, the present number is 36. The number of adult 
 baptisms, nine ; infants, five. The church was organized 
 with the distinct understanding, that whenever its own 
 interests, the success of the mission, or the cause of religion 
 requires, it may leave the chapel and provide for itself else- 
 where. The church in its present connection with the mis- 
 sion elects the missionary for its pastor, and in all respects 
 
206 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. 
 
 is Congregational. It is fully believed that no missionary 
 field in New Hampshire more richly repays the benefactions 
 required to sustain it. 
 
 MASON. 
 
 Most of the early settlers of this town were poor, but 
 industrious men. A good number were professors of reh- 
 gion ; but none of them of more than common education for 
 that day. Instead of forming their settlement in a compact 
 neighborhood, they were so widely scattered as to render it 
 almost impracticable, for a time, for them to have schools 
 for their children. 
 
 Many of the original proprietors manifested regard for 
 religious institutions, and a willingness to aid the settlers in 
 their feeble state to maintain jjublic religious worship. And 
 these men, brought up in the early habits of New England, 
 and taught to regard the Sabbath as an holy day, did not 
 feel themselves relieved from unpleasant restraint when 
 located in the wilderness, where they had no place to meet 
 for religious worship on the Lord's day. Poor as they were 
 they willingly contributed of their scanty substance to obtain 
 preaching part of the time. Nor were they satisfied with 
 occasional preaching, or for a part of the year. They early 
 sought to have a minister settled among them ; and actiiaUy 
 gave a call to two gentlemen to become their minister, 
 before they had formed into a church state, and, considering 
 their circumstances, made them fair ofl^ers. Their regard 
 for religion was equally shovra in preparing a house for reli- 
 gious meetings. Witliin three or four years from the date 
 of the charter the proprietors, with the inhabitants, erected 
 a Meeting-house. True, it was small, and never was thor- 
 oughly finished ; yet, compared with the ability of the peo- 
 ple, equal to some elegant houses of the present day. This 
 house stood, and was used for public meetings, nearly forty 
 years. 
 
 The town was incorporated in the year 1768, and then 
 called Mason. Four years from this date a church was 
 gathered in the place. At this time an ecclesiastical coun- 
 cil was convened for the purpose of embodying a church, and 
 ordaining their pastor elect, Mr. Jonathan Searle. In the 
 covenant transaction between themselves and God, the 
 church was called a Calvinistic church, and in their articles 
 of faith, they say, "We cordially adhere to the principles of 
 
b 
 
 MASON. 207 
 
 religion (at least to the substance of them) contained in the 
 Shorter Catechism of the Assembly of Divines." The whole 
 number of brethren who subscribed the covenant was 12 — 
 and after being declared "a distinct church regularly and 
 scripturally embodied," they by vote admitted the sisters, 
 nine in number, as members. Soon after the ordination of 
 Kev. Mr. Searle, unhappy difficulties arose between the pas- 
 tor and the flock, which issued in his dismission in about 
 nine years after his settlement. At this time or soon after, 
 Mr. Searle ceased from preaching, but, being constituted a 
 civil magistrate, he officiated in this capacity, and lived in 
 the town to an advanced age. During the ministry of Mr. 
 Searle only 23 were added to the church ; 14 by profession, 
 and nine by letter ; and 11 were admitted to own the cove- 
 nant, as it was called, according to the practice of most 
 churches in New England at that day. Between this period 
 and the year 1790 the church record shows the admission of 
 only one member. True, several members of other churches 
 had located in the town, but did not remove their relation 
 to this mourning church for several years. What a Ion, 
 death-like sleep ! Yet in the latter part of this sad night 
 it pleased God to cause some mercy drops to fall, though 
 this church as a visible body was not then increased. About 
 the year 1785, God in mercy visited this section of country, 
 and caused a great revival of religion in his people, and of 
 his work in converting sinners, particularly in New Ipswich, 
 under the ministry of the venerable Farrar. From this 
 place the work extended to some other towns and churches ; 
 and this part of the vineyard was not wholly passed by, 
 although it was in a deplorable state. Some few Christians 
 in Mason were awakened, and began to apply themselves to 
 their long neglected duty ; and many of the people, espec- 
 ially of the young, flocked to the solemn meetings in New 
 Ipsvrich, and were filled with wonder. Soon some were con- 
 victed of sin, and became anxious for their souls' salvation, 
 and after a time rejoiced in hope of pardoning mercy. But 
 such was the state of the church in Mason, destitute of a 
 minister, broken, disspirited, that the converts sought to 
 unite with the church of New Ipswich ; to which they had 
 become tenderly attached by that acquaintance with the 
 members which had been brought about by their intercourse, 
 and by that mutual love which new born souls who have 
 mourned and wept, and prayed and rejoiced together, must 
 feel. Their request was granted on condition that they 
 remove their relation whenever the church in Mason should 
 become settled. , 
 
208 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. 
 
 It may be considered as a happy eifect of this revival, 
 that the church and congregation in Mason were moved to 
 seek the immediate settlement of a gospel minister. Eev. 
 Ebenezer Hill became their pastor Nov. 3_, 1790._ About this 
 time, the members of other churches resident in the town, 
 as well as those who united with the church in New Ipswich, 
 removed their relation, and the church in Mason then con- 
 sisted of 36 members, and in 1845 it numbered about 260 
 resident members. The years 1801-2 were indeed years of 
 the right hand of Clod. After a long season in which few 
 were persuaded to embrace the Savior, and Christians were 
 in a deep sleep, it pleased a gracious God to awaken his 
 people, a-nd, at length, to grant such a refresliing rain upon 
 this thirsty part of his heritage as had never before been 
 enjoyed in this place. The number gathered into the church 
 as the fruit of this revival, was 54 members. Some also 
 were added to the Baptist church. It did then seem as if 
 there woirld not be such a lowering down from this happy 
 state as is like dark night after a bright and glorious day. — 
 Such mournful changes have been witnessed here. But God 
 is rich in grace although his people are unfaithful. In the 
 year 1812, another, though shorter season of gracious visita- 
 tion, was grairted, when 25 were added to the number of vis- 
 ible believers. This, like a short wintry day, was succeeded 
 by a long night ; and only now and then one joined the visi- 
 ble people of God, until the year 1826. Tliis was a year 
 more distinguished than any other had been in the annals 
 of this church. God wrought gloriously — every part of the 
 town was graciously visited, and it was so manifestly the 
 work of God that for a time all opposition seemed to be put 
 down. The fruit of this revival was 62 added this year, and 
 19 the next, making 81, besides about 40 who united with 
 the Baptists. In the year 1831, 21 were added, and in the 
 years 1834^5 were added 32. 
 
 In the year 1836, Nov. 23, Kev. Andrew Eeed was install- 
 ed coUeague pastor of the church and was dismissed from 
 his pastoral relation and recommended to the churches, 
 Dec. 11, 1839. During his ministry, the addition to the 
 church was 23 by letter and profession. 
 
 Oct. 20, 1841, Eev. Joseph Bancroft Hill was installed 
 colleague pastor with his father, and in this year 91 were 
 admitted to the church — 58 in one day. He was dismissed 
 April 22, 1847. Thus we are permitted to record the rich 
 grace of a sovereign God to this church. And the means 
 God has blest have been, principally, preaching the plain 
 doctrine of the Bible on the Sabbath ; preaching frequently 
 
MASON VILLAGE. 209 
 
 lectures in different sections of the town ; visiting the mem- 
 bers of the church ; conference meetings ; })rayer meetings, 
 and personal conversation. And in a sj)ecial manner God 
 has blest the Sabbath School. Most of the yimtli who 
 attend the school are hopefully pious. To His rich grace be 
 all the glory. [The history thus far was prepared by Kev. 
 E. Hill ten years ago.] 
 
 In 1847 a second church was formed, in Mason Village, 
 to which many members took letters of dismission and rec- 
 ommendation. This left the first church weak, involved in 
 perplexity, doubt and fears ; but the jjraying ones laid hold 
 on the promises, hoped in God and went forward. For two 
 years they were regularly supplied by Rev. Mr. Harrington 
 late of Lunenburg, Ms. 
 
 The present piastor, Rev. J. L. Armes, was installed over 
 this church Oct. 30, 1850. There have been in all about 
 500 added to the church since its formation. The ])resent 
 number is 106. There is connected with the house of wor- 
 ship a good and substantial parsonage, recently ))uilt, and 
 owned b}^ the pastor and a few other individuals. The 
 house which is now used as a house of worship has been 
 built eighteen or twenty years, and is the third erected since 
 the settlement of the town 106 years ago. 
 
 Father Hill, as he was familiarly called, remained pastor 
 and associate pastor to the time of his decease, being 64 
 years, 7 months and 17 days ; for 46 years he was sole pas- 
 tor, and the church prospered under his care. The simple 
 narrative he has given is his own best eulogium. 
 
 MASON VILLAGE. 
 
 Rev. E. M. Kellogg. 
 
 Pursuant to letters missive from a committee appointed 
 for the purpose, an ecclesiastical council convened in Mason 
 Village June 3, 1847, to consider the propriety of organiz- 
 ing a Congregational church in that place. The council was 
 organized by choosing Rev. E. W. Bullard moderator, and 
 Rev. C. Whiting scribe. Eight persons — four male and four 
 female — presented letters from the churches to which they 
 respectively belonged, and were organized into a church 
 called the " Second Congregational Church of Mason." The 
 church adopted the Articles of Faith and Covenant of the 
 First Church. On the 20th of June 1847, 58 persons were 
 received into the church by letter, from the first Congrega- 
 tional church in Mason. 
 
210 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. 
 
 March 20th, 1849, the church gave a unanimous call to Mr. 
 WiUiam Olmsted to become their pastor ; who, on the 11th 
 of April following, was ordained to the work of the gospel 
 ministry and installed pastor of the church by an ecclesiasti- 
 cal council, of which Kev. W. FoUet was moderator, and 
 Rev. C. Whiting scribe. During the winter previous to the 
 ordination there was a season of religious interest, which 
 continued somewhat into the following summer, and num- 
 bers were hopefully converted to Christ. At each of the four 
 communion seasons during that year subsequent to the 
 settlement of the pastor, there were some additions to the 
 church, — in all, by profession 33 ; by letter 13 ; total 46. The 
 first chm-ch edifice built for the Congregational church in 
 Mason Village was of wood above the basement, 70 feet by 
 43 on the ground, containing 64 slips — about 400 sittings — 
 and was erected by individuals. It was dedicated to the 
 triune Grod on Sabbath the 16th of Dec. 1849 ; sermon by 
 the pastor from Acts 28 : 15. The pastor of the church, Eev. 
 William Olmsted, died in Colchester, Conn., the place of his 
 birth, on the 6th of June 1851, aged 30 years. His labors 
 were owned and blessed of the Great Head of the church — 37 
 persons having united with the church by profession during 
 his brief ministry. 
 
 On tlie 20th of May 1852, Rev. E. M. Kellogg, having 
 received a unanimous caU, was installed pastor of the church 
 by an ecclesiastical council, called for the purpose, of which 
 Rev. Samuel Lee was moderator. Under the present 
 ministry, there have been 17 additions to the church. There 
 have been 162 members from the beginning — the present 
 number is 114. Ministerial support, $600. 
 
 MERRIMACK. 
 
 The first house built in this town was occupied by John 
 Cromwell from England. He traded extensively with the 
 Indians, using his foot as a weight in the scale in purchasing 
 their furs. They discovered his deception and formed a de- 
 sign to destroy him. This was known by him in time to 
 bury his dishonest gains and escape. The Indians came ; 
 their -sdctim was beyond their reach, but they enjoyed the 
 lesser gratification of their revenge in burning his dwelling. 
 These events were long previous to the settlement of the 
 place in 1733, — Cromwell's house was standing in 1679. It 
 was incorporated April 2d, 1746. Population in 1775, 606; 
 
MEERIMACK SOUTH. 211 
 
 in 1850, 1250. The Congregational church was formed Sep- 
 tember 5, 1771. 
 
 Kev. Jacob Burnap, D.D., was ordained pastor of this 
 church Oct. 14, 1772. Born in Reading, Ms., he was a grad- 
 uate of Harvard in 1770. He continued in the ministry here 
 until his death, Dec. 26, 1821, at the age of seventy three — 
 a pastorate of forty nine years and two months. Dr. Burnap 
 was a scholar. He was a man of quiet, honest life, and of 
 serious manners. He could happily adapt his public exer- 
 cises to emergent occasions. He admitted to the church 194 
 members. 
 
 Eev. Stephen Morse, a graduate of Dartmouth in 1821, 
 was settled here July 6, 1825, and closed his work in just 
 three years. He stirdied theology with Rev. Mr. Perry of 
 Bradford, Ms. He was re-settled in Troy, went thence to 
 New York and subsequently to Vermont. 
 
 Eev. Stejihen T. Allen, a son of Amherst college in 1833, 
 was settled here May 3, 1839. Under his ministry the 
 church and congregation were strengthened. He reported 
 72 members to the Greneral Association this year, and this is 
 the tirst time the church is found in the minutes of that 
 body. He remained about ten years, during which time 75 
 persons were added to the church, which, after allowing for 
 removals, left 106 members when he was dismissed. 
 
 Rev. E. Gr. Little was settled here Sept. 5, 1850. His 
 ministry was a fruitful one. Ninety seven additions were 
 made to the church, wliich would have carried it up to al- 
 most double the number that came under his charge at his 
 settlement, but death and removals had carried away forty 
 three, so that, at the close of his work during the past year, 
 there were 160 members. 
 
 The church is now without a pastor, although able to give 
 a salary of $ 500. When such churches remain long unsup- 
 plied we must conclude that the people are not prepared to 
 welcome and prize our Lord's gift of a pastor, or that minis- 
 ters are not easily to be obtained. May one, whose coming 
 shall be as of " a cloud full of rain " over the earth, soon 
 stand among them. 
 
 MERRIMACK SOUTH. 
 
 Rev. D. SiWizE. 
 
 This church is located in the south west corner of Merri- 
 mack ; was formed of persons living in the south part of the 
 
212 HILLSBOKOUGH COUNTY. 
 
 town, in Hollis, Amherst, Milford and Nashua, and is 
 known by the name of Union Evangelical Chureh of Merri- 
 mack. "This church was organized Oct. 21st, 1829. It 
 originated from the establishment of a prayer meeting at a 
 school house witliin the limits of this parish, which was for 
 some time under the direction of only two pious men. The 
 first meeting of this kind that had ever been held there, was 
 in the evening of the first Sabbath in Jan. 1828. During 
 that year, two persons were hopefully converted. 
 
 In "the autumn of the same year, Kev. Samuel H. Tolman 
 labored among the people, under the appointment of the 
 N. H. Missionary Society. Eftbrts were immediately made 
 to build a house of worship. The frame was raised on the 
 16th of May 1829, and on the 7th of Oct. the same year, the 
 house was dedicated. The church, at its organization, 
 embraced eighteen members, six of whom were men. Kev. 
 Samuel H. Tolman was the first pastor, installed Jan. 5th, 
 1831. Dismissed in 1836. During Eev. Mr. Tolman's 
 labors there were two interesting seasons of refi-eshing from 
 the presence of the Lord, which resulted in a precious 
 ingathering of souls. At the dismission of their pastor 
 the church numbered over 80 inembrrs. After this, for 
 seven years and a half, they were destitute of a settled 
 pastor. During this period eight ministers were employed 
 for a longer or shorter period, — Rev. L. Colburn three 
 months ; Eev. Eli Smith, nine months ; Eev .H. Moore, three 
 years ; Rev. Mr. Lock, a Methodist clergyman residing in the 
 place, nine months ; Theodore Wells a licentiate, Eev. Mr. 
 Holt, Rev. James Miltimore and Rev. B. Ela, each a short 
 time. During this period the church diminished nearly one 
 half 
 
 On the 6 th of March 1844, Rev. John Shepard was 
 installed pastor of the church. After three years of painful 
 anxieties, the pastoral relation was dissolved. At the time 
 of Eev. Mr. Shepard's instalment, there were only 46 mem- 
 bers, resident and such absent members as were expecting to 
 return. During Mr. Shepard's ministry, the work of disci- 
 pline was carried on and several members were excommuni- 
 cated. At the close of his labors, which took place in Jan. 
 1847, there had been no increase of members above the 
 excommunications. 
 
 On the first Sabbath in April 1848, Eev. Samuel H. 
 Tolman was again employed as stated supply. From this 
 time, the church began to recover from the unhappy condition 
 into which it had fallen. Mr. Tolman labored five years, 
 closing his labors April 1st, 1853. During this period, eleven 
 
MILFORD. 213 
 
 were added to the church, — seven hy letter, and four hy 
 profession. In this were inckided tlie acting jjastor, and 
 three meinhers of his family. 
 
 Rev. Daniel Sawyer commenced his lahors here on the last 
 Sabbath in May, 1853, and is the acting pastor. The 
 chu.rchis now in a more harmoni(.)US state. During the autumn 
 of 1853, and the winter of 1854, considerable interest was 
 manifested in a remote neighborhood, bordering upon Nashua. 
 During the year 1854, eleven members were added to the 
 church. Present number of communicants 44. This church 
 has no parsonage; no funds. Amount of annual contributions 
 not known previous to 1853, — since that time, a year and a 
 half, $40,94. Average attendance on [)ublic worship, f ir 
 the year and a half past, has been about 80. The whole 
 number of members from the formation of the church, 121 — 
 number of infant baptisms 42. One member of this church 
 has entered the ministry. There have been three re\dvals, 
 two considerably extensive. The jiresent activity of the 
 church is commendable. This is an important field of labor, 
 being located in a central point between Nashua, Hollis, 
 Milford, Amherst and the north churcli in Merrimack, 
 between five and six miles from each There is no 
 other society within the hmits of this parish. Much labor 
 is required here for the suppression of intemperance. Sabbath 
 breaking, and their attendant ^dces. The church has been in 
 existence twenty five years. It has received missionary 
 aid, var)dng from $|50 to $100 annually. 
 
 MILFORD.* 
 
 Rev. E. N. Hidden. 
 
 The Congregational church in Milford was organized Nov. 
 19, 1788. It consisted of nineteen members. It was usual 
 at that time to admit persons into the church by half way 
 covenant, so called, only for the purpose of consecrating 
 their children by baptism. From 1788 to 1802, a period of 
 about fourteen years, there were none admitted into the 
 church except a few by letters from other churches. During 
 this period the church employed between sixty and seventy 
 candidates to preach to them. Several of them they invited 
 to the pastoral office. 
 
 In March, 1802, they gave a call to Humphrey Moore to 
 become their pastor. In August following he gave his 
 
 : , * Sketch by Rev. Dr. Moore and Ihe pastor. 
 
'214 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. 
 
 answer in the affirmative. On tlie 13th of the next Octoher 
 he was ordained. He continued to be their pastor till the 
 beginning of the year 1836, a period of one third of a century. 
 At the close of his pastorate the church consisted of two 
 hundred and twenty five members. During his ministry, 
 three hundred and thirty five were admitted into the church. 
 Cause of dismission : the church and the society wanted a 
 better minister. One consequence : they have ordained four 
 good ministers witliin nineteen years. 
 
 In 1803, the year after Mr. Moore's ordination, 39 persons 
 were added to "the church; in 1828, 63; in 1831, 37; in 
 1835, 39 were admitted to the church. Only six young men 
 belonging to the town are known to have become ministers 
 of the gospel. 
 
 Eev." J. W. Salter was installed pastor April 27, 1836. 
 He was dismissed Oct. 24, 1838. The chief cause ofhis be- 
 ing dismissed so soon was the want of union of feeling and 
 eft'ort among the people for his support. He removed to 
 Connecticut, where he still resides, preaching occasionally, 
 but not a settled pastor. 
 
 Abner B. Warner was ordained pastor Feb. 6, 1839, and 
 dismissed on account of ill health Oct. 27, 1846. He was 
 afterwards settled in Medford, Ms., where he died. May 1852. 
 
 Rev. Lycurgus P. Kimball was installed pastor May 19, 
 1847, and was dismissed on account of ill health Aug. 7, 
 1849. He afterwards removed to the west, and died in 
 BushviUe, 111., eJan. 29, 1851. 
 
 Rev. E. N. Hidden was installed Nov. 21, 1849, and is the 
 present pastor. The number of members is now 304. There 
 has been no general revival for many years, but a goodly 
 number have been added to the church witliin a few years — 
 some by profession — but mostly by letter. It is worthy of 
 note that the first pastor. Rev. H. Moore, CD. is still living, 
 vigorous and active in body and mind, though in the 78th 
 year of his age. Possessed of an ample fortune, the fruit of 
 his own industry — he is a great help both to his pastor and 
 the parish. 
 
 In the early settlements in the State, it was common, in 
 laying out of towns, or after they were laid out, to appropri- 
 ate a tract of land for encouraging the settlement of a min- 
 ister, and for his support afterwards. Many years ago, par- 
 sonages were in common use for the support and comfort of 
 ministers. But these present facilities had no tendency to 
 produce industry and economy. But the natural conse- 
 quence was, many ministers' widows were truly objects of 
 charity, having no home or provision for their support. 
 
MONT VERNON. 215 
 
 Many years ago ministers were settled for life ; and they 
 generally held their office for that period. If they were dis- 
 abled by age, or any other cause, it was common to settle a 
 pension on them. But in our revolutionary war, a suspicion 
 of toryism in a minister was a sufficient cause for his remov- 
 al from office. If, in those days, it was heard tliat a minis- 
 ter was dismissed, it was a matter of course that he had been 
 guilty of some gross misdemeanor. Seventy years ago, a 
 minister's salary in a common country to^vn was £ 100 annu- 
 ally. Fifty years ago, it was $400 and a settlement of 
 $600. In those times towns were required by law to sup- 
 port the ministry by general taxation. But no one was 
 required to pay taxes for the support of a minister, whose 
 denomination was different from his own. Only six young- 
 men, belonging to MUford, are remembered, who have become 
 ministers of the gospel. Three-fourths of a century ago, 
 when ministers were the only publicly educated men in their 
 towns, and their heads were crownecl with magnificent wigs, 
 they were venerated as a superior order of beings. Within 
 half a century a candidate, going to the place of his ordina- 
 tion, was preceded by a large procession, led by a baud of 
 martial music, in militaiy style, till he and they arrived at 
 the Meeting-house. 
 
 MONT VERNON. 
 
 Rev. Charles D. Heebebt. 
 
 This place is delightfully situated upon an 
 which commands a view of towns and vUlages in the Merri- 
 mack and Souhegan vaUies. When the setting sun bursts 
 from the clouds in summer upon the vast expanse south and 
 east, villages in Massachusetts appear ; and from the spire 
 of the church or the cupola of Appleton academy, you may 
 perceive with the aid of a glass the snow-white sail "upon the 
 distant ocean. The verdure of the farms which cluster 
 around this eminence naturally suggested its name. 
 
 The pioneers, worthy, hardy, and many of them religious 
 men, began the settlement of the place about the year 1765. 
 The majority of them were from Beverly and Tewksbury, 
 Ms. Mr. James Woodbury was the first settler upon the 
 hiU, who put up his log cabin a little south of the place 
 where the church now stands ; and soon after erected the 
 first framed house. Being embraced within the hmits of 
 Amherst, the people went there for pubKc worship. It was 
 
216 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. 
 
 then a long and circuitous road ; but the fathers and moth- 
 ers were of puritan stock, and cheerfully walked from the 
 extremes six or seven miles to the village below. In the 
 mnter it was comTiion for whole families to ride clown to 
 church upon their ox sleds ; and it is remarkable with what 
 regularity they contrived to be present in the rude, cold 
 sanctuary. In the summer, they would occasionally have 
 preaching during the week in the barns of these remote dis- 
 tricts. The pioneers early looked forward to the time when 
 this section should become a separate parish. Active meas- 
 ures to effect this were taken upon the settlement of Kev. J. 
 Barnard over the church in AmJierst, which occurred March 3, 
 1780. The people of this part of the town insisted upon 
 having a more decidedly pious and orthodox ministry, and 
 jiroceeded to supply themselves. In Sejjtember following, 
 a council was called which organized here what was called 
 the second church in Amherst. No records of these trans- 
 actions are to be found, or of the church for the first thirteen 
 years. We are told by tlie most aged men, that the first 
 deacons were Messrs. Howard, Ward, and Oliver Carlton. — 
 It is evident that the original members were remarkable for 
 their sound orthodoxy and the quiet fervor of their piety. 
 
 During the autumn after the organization of the church, 
 Eev. Mr. Coggin from Chelmsford, Ms., preached to a large 
 congregation in Major Cole's barn, upon the importance of 
 immediately erecting a house of wc>rship. This, in the pov- 
 erty of those revolutionary times, was no small undertak- 
 ing ; but the result was, that, on the following April, each 
 farm in the community sent in its free will offering of tim- 
 ber for the frame and covering of the present house of God. 
 It is related that the heaviest timbers were drawn upon the 
 snow-crust, without obstruction from walls and fences even 
 at the last of the month. 
 
 In June 1781, fifty four individuals were constituted by 
 the General Court the second parish of Amlierst. The 
 names tbuud in the act of incorporation, are interesting as 
 being the progenitors of the present active residents of at 
 least the third generation. They were not the rude out- 
 laws that often congregate upon the frontier ; but the hardy, 
 noble, pious men who felt that tliey were laying the founda- 
 tions of future society. About this time, Lieut. James 
 Woodbury presented the society the lot of land where the 
 Meeting-house stands, and also another for the burying 
 ground. So urgent was the demand for the house that as 
 soon as the frame was covered, and before the floor timbers 
 were laid, it was occupied for worship Avithout any formal 
 
MONT VERNON. 217 
 
 dedication. They finished the house gradually, as they were 
 ahle. During the first winter they worshiped there, sitting 
 upon rough benches, with an open, single floor, and most 
 of the A\'indows loosely boarded up. To this place they 
 came, women walking even from the Chestnut hills, five miles 
 distant, with nothing to warm them l)ut the glad tidings 
 of salvation, which they could scarcely hear for the raging 
 of the winds without. The old fashioned square pews were 
 constructed as lamihes felt able, the " pew ground," merely, 
 being deeded by the parish. While there was for a time 
 much space thus left for benches, both below and in the gal- 
 lery, they had the ground of four or six of the best pews, in 
 front of the ])ulpit, elevated and permanently reserved for 
 free seats. The new church and parish had several candi- 
 dates, to more than one of whom they gave a call ; but we 
 cannot speak definitely, for want of records. 
 
 Rev. John Bruce, the first pastor — whose name is cher- 
 ished with so much aftection by the aged of the place — com- 
 menced his labors in the summer or fall of 1784, and near 
 the close of that year received a call to settle. His having 
 scarcely completed his theological studies, and having had 
 an invitation to be the pastor at Mason, will doubtless 
 account for the fact that he was not ordained here until Nov. 
 3, of the following year. He was born at Marlborough, Ms., 
 in 1757, and entered Dartmouth college at the age of twenty, 
 where, by his studioirs habits, his mild, serious and duti- 
 ful behavior, he obtained from his instructors the title 
 of " the good Mr. Bruce." This lovely character he sus- 
 tained during the twenty five years that he resided in tins 
 jjlace. He died suddenly, of apoplexy, March 12, 1809, on 
 the morning of the Sabbath ; and, when his flock assembled 
 to hear him speak of heaven, they were told that his spirit 
 had gone to that home to receive, at the hand of his Piedeem- 
 er, the crown of his rejoicing. 
 
 Mr. Bruce was eminently a successful minister. The exact 
 number added to the church during his pastorate cannot be 
 ascertained ; for, of the first ten years and the last eight, 
 there are no church records. During the seven years from 
 1794 to 1801, it appears that eighty three members were 
 added by letter and by profession. The year 1799 was ren- 
 dered memorable by rich displays of grace, and, within aljout 
 a year, fifty were added by profession. Recent investiga- 
 tions have brought to fight, in the hand writing of Mr. Bruce, 
 what is undoubtedly a list of the members of the church 
 living immediately prior to this accession, when it seems that 
 there were 110 connected with it. This revival was the first 
 15 
 
218 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. 
 
 known in this section, and it awakened much interest far 
 and wide. Many j'ears afterwards, Kev. Mr. Bradford of 
 Francestown remarked, that, when he was informed that 
 numbers in Mont Vernon were converted unto Christ, he 
 was so much aifected that he slmt himself ui> for the day 
 and wept and prayed. The showers of grace which watered 
 this church under the fixitliful and unostentatious ministra- 
 tions of its first pastor, prepared the way for many succeed- 
 ing triumplis of mercy. 
 
 Kev. Stephen Cliapin, having been dismissed from the pas- 
 torship of a neigliboring town, on account of liis deep and 
 discriminating orthodoxy and his bold, unadorned, uncom- 
 promising style of preaching, immediately received a call 
 from tliis church. Tliis was clone after observing a day of 
 fasting and prayer for the guidance and the blessing of the 
 Great Head of "the church, Rev. Messrs. Moses Bradford and 
 Eli Smith being present by invitation. As might have been 
 expected from a ministry thus introduced, great good result- 
 ed. A new impulse was given to discipline, wanderers were 
 reclaimed, and those residing in town who ordinarily com- 
 muned with the church were required to unite or give their 
 reasons annually. During a pastorate of nine years, 115 
 were added to the church. Rev. Dr. Harris of Dunbarton, 
 in tlie installation sermon, (wliich was pubhshed,) j^roclaim- 
 ed that God had "much jjeojile in this city;" audit was 
 even so. In 1817, God lionored his truth in the conversion 
 of large numliers ; 51 on one occasion taking the vows of 
 God upon tliem. 
 
 But tlie day of separation hastened on and from a quai-ter 
 least suspected. A child being presented for baptism, Mr. 
 Chapin refused to administer the rite, announcing a change 
 in his views respecting the mode and subjects of baptism. 
 So completely were the hearts of all united in him that it 
 was supposed that tlie flock would follow the shepherd. He 
 had an opportunity of presenting his views jiubMcly at a 
 meeting appointed for the purpose, when it was expected 
 that the subject should be freely discussed by the brethren. 
 They took the precaution to invite Rev. Mr. Moore of Mil- 
 ford to aid in the discussion, who managed affairs with his 
 accustomed skill. Members of the church stood their ground 
 in argument and proved themselves too well indoctrinated 
 to be swerved from the faith of the saints. Great as was 
 their love to their pastor, their affection to the covenant with 
 Abraham and to their children was greater; and it is 
 remarkable that not ■ a single individual of the church 
 renounced infant baptism. This incident doubtless led Mr. 
 
MONT VERNON. 219 
 
 Moore to write and publish a work on this subject. A coun- 
 cil being called, Nov. 18, 1818, the pastoral relation was 
 dissolved. Mr. Chapin was treated with great tenderness 
 and affection byliis ministerial brethren. Though he might 
 refuse to hold fellowship with them on earth they anticipat- 
 ed an unrestricted communion in Heaven. Mr. Chapin was 
 a graduate of Harvard, a pupil of Dr. Emmons ; he received 
 the degree of D.D. and died while president of Columbia 
 college, Washington, D. C. 
 
 After an interval of a little more than a year, a call was 
 given to Rev. E. Cheever, a native of Reading, Vt., — a 
 graduate of Bowdoin college — and he was ordained Dec. 8, 
 1819. He continued pastor until April 8, 1823, there being 
 added to the church in the mean time 22 members. It is 
 evident that the course of his predecessor in reference to 
 infant baptism had not impaired the confidence of the 
 chui'ch in the validity of the ordinance, as we find that 39 
 children were baptized in less than three years. In the 
 spring of 1820 the first Sabbath School was organized here. 
 It was held in the school house, and composed only of chil- 
 dren, a majority of whom in their riper years still love to 
 meet for the study of the sacred oracles. 
 
 Rev. Nathaniel Kingsbury commenced his public labors 
 here two weeks after the dismission of his predecessor. He 
 was ordained Nov. 8, 1823, and, after a prosperous ministry, 
 was dismissed April 6, 1836. Those were revival days, and 
 during this pastorate 154 were received to the church. Two 
 periods of peculiar interest occurred ; the former in 1828, 
 when 34 were added ; the latter in 1831, when nearly 60 
 united by profession. The ministers were accustomed at 
 that time to aid each other in protracted meetings. They 
 were evidently seasons of thrilling interest and great power ; 
 and those who were converted at these times evince more 
 than ordinary activity at the present day. Never, before or 
 since, has the church been so active in promoting the salva- 
 tion of souls and growth in grace. Prayer meetings held at 
 sunrise were sustained for months, and the converts, young 
 and old, were accustomed to go into tlic remote districts to 
 aid in social meetings, even duriufj the most busy season of 
 the year. It is often remarked that the Lord of tlie spirit- 
 ual harvests ordered the showers and the sunshine of the 
 year 1831 so as, in the highest degree, to flivor the temporal 
 harvests of those who labored hard in his vineyard. These 
 scenes still live in the vivid recollections of many, who long 
 for their recurrence, and still believe that churches are reviv- 
 ed and blessed according to the efforts used to promote the 
 salvation of souls. 
 
220 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. 
 
 The temperance movement began early during Mr. Kings- 
 bury's ministiy. The youth of the present day, where for 
 years no hquors have been publicly sold, cannot even imag- 
 ine the contlition of this small community Avith eight tavern 
 licences given during one year. In some of these places 
 they sold a hogshead per week. It was no easy matter to 
 control public opinion. The church seemed on the point of 
 being rent asunder, and the minister of being driven from 
 his post. Professors would angrily leave the sanctuary, if 
 the subject was alluded to ; but the truth finally triumphed, 
 and intemperance was excommunicated from tlie community 
 as well as the church. The following anecdote may illus- 
 trate the times : When the new road was building south 
 of the church, Mr. Kingsbury, passing that way, overtook 
 one of his deacons with two pails full of mixed licjuor, (grog) 
 who advised his pastor to go on the old road, for the work- 
 men were all so drunk that he would be insulted. 
 
 During this period a stove was procured for the church. 
 The fathers and mothers had, until now, sat patiently 
 through the Sabbath services, in the most inclement weath- 
 er ; but, though there were ample provisions for ventilation 
 through the rattling windows, and the winds seemed never 
 to forget their right to visit the sanctuary of the mountain 
 top, some few regarded it too oppressive an innovation to be 
 borne ; and reflected severely upon those who could once 
 worship all day sheltered merely by the rough, open boards. 
 It may be recorded here that in 1837 the church was remov- 
 ed to the more sheltered side of the street, remodeled, and 
 furnished ^vith a bell and organ ; and that in 1855, with all 
 needed repairs, it was supplied with furnaces. 
 
 Kev. Edwin Jennison, introduced by his predecessor, was 
 installed on the day the former was dismissed, and remained 
 until Aug. 19, 1841, during which time 23 were added to 
 the church. The people regarded their pastor as unsurpass- 
 ed by any minister in the county as a sermonizer ; but he 
 visited little. During this period the discussion of slavery 
 began t(j agitate tire church. His health failing, he asked a 
 dismission and took a voyage to Europe, and on his return 
 settled in Ashburnham, Ms. 
 
 Eev. B. Smith was installed here Aug. 19, 1841, and con- 
 tinued about nine years ; during which time 32 were added 
 to the church. Some important cases of discipline were 
 finally settled during this pastorate ; and the church, taking 
 decidedly anti-slavery ground, voted to exclude slaveholders 
 from the pulpit and the Lord's table. 
 
 Eev. Charles D. Herbert, the present pastor, commenced 
 
MONT VERNON. 221 
 
 his labors July 5, 1850, and was installed Nov. 6. The 
 minds of Christians having been much diverted, the men of 
 the world began to claim more control over the church than 
 its enlightened conscience could concede. Those who loved 
 the truth and opposed folly and dissipation, rallied to their 
 post ; and for this the pastor and Christians ■ were treated 
 with contumely and reproach, especially by transient resi- 
 dents. The watchword of opposers was "Down with the 
 church," and though they loudly boasted that they could 
 destroy it in three months, and tor a time exerted all their 
 powers in confident expectation of success, an appeal to the 
 all-conquering sw(ird of the Spirit and to the Captain of the 
 Christian's salvation prevailed. The inexperienced, who had 
 been led by strangers in the way of infidelity, irreligion, 
 folly and hostility, began to behold their conduct in the 
 light of eternity ; they trembled and fled to Christ for refuge, 
 and soon were found building up what they had proposed to 
 overthrow. Christians thus being driven together by a pres- 
 sure from without, their hearts were all melted into one by 
 the Spirit of the li^ang Grod. Since 1851 there have been 
 occasional conversions and additions. In 1852 quite a num- 
 ber in the academy attained the Christian's hope. There 
 have been 55 added to the church thus tar during this pas- 
 torate, and yet, such are the constant emigrations to the 
 manufacturing towns that, the church numbers but 1G.3, the 
 average age of whom is about 56. 
 
 By the records of the church, which are deficient, in all, 
 nineteen years, we find the names of 484 members recorded ; 
 add to these, those of 99 who are kno-mi to have belonged 
 to this church and we have 58.3. Doubtless not less than 
 650 have been connected with it. The records show, that 
 this church has ever loved the ordinance of infant baptism 
 and availed itself of it in proportion to its sjiiritual prosperi- 
 ty. The number, exclusive of those baptized during the 
 nineteen years not reported, is 454. This church has sent 
 out eight ministers of the gospel — two of them, Joshua 
 Howard and Daniel Weston must have gone forth at a very 
 early day. The names of the others arc Solomon Kittredge, 
 Charles B. Kittredge, I. W. Perkins, Darwin Adams, H.^ A. 
 Kendall, and J. C. Bryant. There has been but one society 
 in this town. In early days we beheve that the attendance 
 was general ; a few on the south and east have worshiped at 
 Milford and Amherst. Now, of 800 inhabitants, it is believed 
 that about 300 utterly neglect public worship. 
 
 Benevolence. Though there are no wealthy men in the 
 community, donations have been liberal for the various 
 
222 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. 
 
 societies, as follows : 1851, $292,46 ; 1852, $268,54; 1853, 
 $265,69; 1854, $340,66 ; 1855, $392,52. In these years 
 collections have been made -without the intervention of 
 agents. 
 
 The history of this church shows the advantage of a sound 
 ministry in laying the foundations of society ; the value of 
 revivals" of religion ; the power of religion to elevate the 
 masses ; and the necessity of a church organization in saving 
 souls. 
 
 NASHUA. 
 
 First Cong. Cudech — Rev. G. B.Jewett. 
 
 The first Congregational church in Dunstable was organ- 
 ized in 1685 — the fifth in the order of time in this State— 
 and consisted of seven men. The first pastor, Kev. Thomas 
 Weld, is supposed to have been ordained the same year. — 
 His ministry with them continued until 1702, in which year 
 it is thought that he fell a victim to Indian barbarity. The 
 Eev. Nathaniel Prentice was the second pastor, who, as nearly 
 as can be ascertained, took charge of the church in 1718, 
 and retained the charge imtil his decease in 1737. His suc- 
 cessor was Rev. Josiah Swan, whose ministry began Dec. 
 27, 1738, and ended, by his dismission, in 1746. In the 
 summer of 1747, the church and town united in extending 
 a call to the Rev. Samuel Bird, who, probably, entered upon 
 the duties of the pastoral office the same year. Being what 
 was then termed a new-liglit, his settlement resulted in a 
 division of the church and the formation of a new church, 
 made up of members of the original church, for the accom- 
 modation of wdiich a new house of worship was erected. — 
 Mr, Bird was dismissed in 1751. In 1759, by the advice 
 and assistance of an ecclesiastical council called for the pur- 
 pose, the difficulties between the two churches were adjusted 
 and a re-union effected. During the next seven years, the 
 church made three unsuccessful attempts to secure a pastor. 
 The Rev. Joseph Kidder, who was the fifth pastor, was 
 ordained in 1767 and dismissed in 1796. He died Sept. 6th, 
 1818, aged 77. The sixth settled pastor was the Rev. Eben- 
 ezcr B. Sperry, whose ministry commenced in 1813, and 
 ended in his dismission in 1818 or '19. It thus appears, 
 that up to this last date — a period of one hundred and thirty 
 three years since the organization of the church — it had 
 been destitute of a settled pastor fifty one years. After 
 
NASHUA. 223 
 
 another period of destitution of seven years continuance, the 
 Eev. Handel G. Nott was ordained pastor of the church, 
 Nov. 9, 1826. His dismission took pUice in October 1834. 
 
 From 1685 to 1813 no particular record of the doings or 
 history of the church was kept. Consequently, there are no 
 means of determining either the increase or diminution of 
 its members. From 1813 to 1826, the time when Kev. Mr. 
 Nott assumed the pastoral charge, there were added to the 
 church by letter and profession, tifty members. During the 
 ministry of Mr. Nott, though it continued less than eight 
 years, the additions amounted to three hundred and f/ty five. 
 In 1830, seventy two were added, which year is mentioned on 
 the record as "a year of the Lord's special mercy to the 
 church." During the revival which signalized that year, the 
 pastor was assisted in his labors by the Kev. Z. Bates, whose 
 ministrations seemed to be greatly blessed, in the spiritual 
 growth of God's people and in the conversion of sinners. 
 
 In 1834, the Eev. Mr. Nott having announced to his peo- 
 ple a change in his views onthe subject of infant baptism — 
 such that he could no longer administer the ordinance — a 
 di\asion of the church ensued, the pastoral relati<in was dis- 
 solved, and a majority of the original church who still 
 adhered to that divinely instituted and scriptural ordinance, 
 withdrew from the society and established worship by them- 
 selves. 
 
 The eighth pastor of the church was the Eev. Jonathan 
 McGee, who was installed Jan. 1, 1835. At his request, he 
 was dismissed June 8, 1842. During the seven and a half 
 years of his connection with the church, two hundred and 
 seventy one were added to its number, 85 by profession and 
 186 by letter. One himdred and thirty three were dismissed 
 and recommended to other churches. Early in the year 1842 
 the church enjoyed a season of revival which began under the 
 following interesting circumstances : — There was in the Sab- 
 bath School a class of young ladies consisting of thirty three 
 members, seventeen of whom gave no evidence of regenera- 
 tion. Not one from this large class had become hopefully 
 pious during the year which had just closed. This fact 
 weighed so heavily on the mind of the teacher, that he re- 
 quested the pious members of the class to set apart a partic- 
 ular portion of each day to pray for the conversion of their 
 impenitent classmates, selecting some one for whom they 
 would offer special prayer. On the morning after the Sab- 
 bath on which this request was made, the teacher was sent 
 for to visit the young lady who had been the first object of 
 this special prayer. Finding her under deep conviction of 
 
224 HILLSBOKOUGH COUNTT. 
 
 sin, he spent some time witli her in prayer and rehgious 
 conversation. Immediately after he had left her, she found 
 peace in helieving ; and forthwith hastened to the house of 
 her teacher, to tell him what God had done for her soul. 
 During that week four others became the hopeful subjects 
 of renewing grace ; and in a few weeks only one of the sev- 
 enteen remained without hope. The work spread from class 
 to class until the whole school seemed to be baptized with 
 the Holy Spirit ; and His saving influences were granted to 
 some also of the members of the congregation not connected 
 with the school. 
 
 The ninth pastor of the church was the Kev. Matthew 
 Hale Smith, who was ordained Oct. 19, 1842. At the time 
 of his settlement, the church was encumbered with a debt 
 of nearly $ 2000. Thinking this to be a serious hindrance 
 to their spiritual as well as temporal prosperity, he earnestly 
 recommended to them an immediate liquidation of the debt 
 by individual subscription, to which suggestion they prompt- 
 ly responded and relieved themselves at once from tills heavy 
 burden. The sacrifice some were obliged to make to do this 
 was more than made up to them in spiritual blessings ; for 
 the church very soon after was permitted to enjoy a special 
 eifusion of the Spirit. During Mr. Smith's ministry of two 
 years and ten months, 117 were added to the church, 82 by 
 profession and 35 by letter. Thirty four were dismissed. On 
 account of ill health, Mr. Smith asked to be released from 
 his labors ; and, accordingly, was dismissed Aug. 20, 1845. 
 
 He was succeeded by Kev. Samuel Lamson, who was in- 
 stalled April 8, 1846. After a settlement of two years, Mr. 
 Lamson was compelled by ill health to ask a dismission, 
 which the church very reluctantly granted, April 7, 1848. 
 During his ministry, ten were added to the church by pro- 
 fession, and nineteen by letter. Fourteen were dismissed. 
 
 Eev. Daniel March was installed over the church, Jan. 3, 
 1849. He continued their ])astor six years, during which 
 time his labors were incessant and were blessed by the Great 
 Head of the church to the salvation of many souls. Mr. 
 March was dismissed Jan. 9, 1855. During his ministry, 
 134 were added to the church ; eighty one by profession, 
 and fifty three by letter. Seventy were dismissed. From 
 1835 to 1855 the whole number admitted to the church was 
 551 ; 258 by profession, and 293 by letter. In the same 
 time 251 were dismissed. The present pastor. Rev. George 
 B. Jewett, was ordained over the church May 24, 1855. 
 This society pays a salary of $1500, and has contributed 
 about $650 the past year to benevolent objects. 
 
NASHUA. 225 
 
 NASHUA. 
 
 ' Olive St. Cuurch. — Rev. Austin Richards. 
 
 The Olive St. Church represents a divided half of tlie old 
 Congregational church of Dunstahle. In the year 1834 a 
 separation in that church was occasioned hy a change of 
 views on the part of its pastor, H. G. Nott, on the suhject 
 of infant baptism. He first merely rejected infant baptism 
 as a scriptural, divinely appointed ordinance, but still re- 
 garded sprinkling as valid, and the preferable mode of bap- 
 tism and adhered to open communion. When Mr. Nott 
 made known his views to the church, July, 1834, and de- 
 clined administering the ordinance of baptism to the chil- 
 dren of believers, extensive dissatisfaction was created in the 
 church, and a mutual council was called for advice. The 
 result of that council was a unanimous expression of opinion 
 that it was inexpedient for the pastor to retain his connec- 
 tion with the church, and he was, therefore, dismissed by a 
 council called for that purpose Oct. 7tli, 1834. 
 
 After his dismission the religious society eni].iloyed Mr. 
 Nott to supply their pirlpit, whereupon the church by a ma- 
 jority of one or two members, including its officers, voted to 
 withdraw from its usual place of meeting on the Saljbath, 
 and hold worship in another place. A large majority of the 
 society, and nearly an equal division of the church, remained 
 at their accustomed place of worshij). In tliis division the 
 line of separation was not drawn precisely between those 
 who adhered to, and those who renounced infant baptism. 
 As might have been expected, various causes aside from 
 doctrinal views — such as strong attachment to their jiastor, 
 and to the house of worship which had been procurecl of an 
 other denomination in troublous times, by much self-deny- 
 ing exertion and liberality — constrained many to remain 
 where they were. The portion of the church that remained 
 claimed to be the church, but, an ecclesiastical council hav- 
 ing decided that the seceding members constituted the 
 church, those who remained were duly organized Oct. 26th, 
 1835, and were recognized by an ecclesiastical council 
 called for that purpose as a pedo-baptist church. It then 
 consisted of 141 members. Mr. Nott continued to officiate 
 as the pastor and minister after his dismission about one 
 year. He ultimately joined the Baptist church. 
 
 The church then invited Kev. Austin Kichards, pastor of 
 the church in Francestown, to become their pastor, and he 
 was installed over them April 6th, 1836. The pastors of 
 
226 HILLSBOEODGH COUNTY. 
 
 both churches labored side by side in perfect harmony, and 
 the partial alienation and discord that had so unhappily rent 
 the liody of the church gradually gave place to a spirit of 
 mutual forbearance, and fraternal affection. They have for 
 years lived together in delightful harmony. And however 
 we may regret the causes which led to the division, yet the 
 time, n<i doubt, had fully come when the Head of the 
 church foresaw — what its members did not — that another 
 Christian church was needed ; and, probably, in no way could 
 a more equal and desirable division have been made and 
 more have been secured to the orthodox Congregational in- 
 terests of the church, than by the very causes which operated 
 to effect the separation at the time and in the manner in 
 which it vt'as made. To the organization of a second church 
 thus early in the history of this village as a manufacturing 
 and rapidly increasing population is, no doubt, to be attrib- 
 uted the greater predominance of the pedo-baptist, Congrega- 
 tional clement, and the greater number of orthodox churches 
 in proportion to the population of the city, than is found in 
 most other cities. 
 
 In 1837, one year after the installation of the present pas- 
 tor, there was a revival which resulted in the admission of 65 
 members to the church. From this period until 1841, though 
 there was no general revival, there were several seasons of 
 much more than usual religious interest, and during this 
 term of four years, 55 were added by profession. In 1841-2, 
 the church was greatly blessed by another revival and, as the 
 fruit of it, 115 united with the church. Among these were 
 some of the most efficient and enterprising of our citizens — 
 those who are now, some of them, among the most reliable 
 and useful members of this church, and others went out to 
 form the nucleus of a third church, and are among the most 
 active and effective in sustaining its interests. Of all who 
 joined tire church at this time few, very few, are known to 
 have forfeited their Christian character. From the year 1842 
 until 1851 there was no general revival, though there were 
 several seasons when the special presence and power of the 
 Spirit were manifest, in waking a portion of the church to 
 greatly increased prayerfulness and Christian activity, and in 
 some hopeful conversions. At one of these seasons 17 were 
 added to the church, at another 15. 
 
 In 1846 the house of worship having been for several years 
 insufficient for the accommodation of multitudes who made 
 apphcation for seats, a vote, nearly or quite unanimous, was 
 passed both by the church and society that it was expedient 
 to form a third church. About 60 members of the church 
 
NASHUA. 227 
 
 and an equal proportion of the congregation went out to 
 constitute the new colony, carrying with them a pledge of 
 the symjiathy and coojieration cif the church. 
 
 In 1851-2, there was an extensive and nieniorahle work 
 of grace, — as the residt of which 101 united witli the church 
 — 80 at one communion — 50 of whom received the ordinance 
 of baptism. The work in the Sahbath School is thus noticed 
 in the Minutes of the General Association for 1852; ^"They 
 have made a great discovery ; infinitely more important than 
 all that comes from the Patent Office at Washington. " For 
 thirty-five years," says a venerable and esteemed teacher, 
 "for thirty-five years have I been engaged as a Sunday School 
 teacher ; but I have just found that I never knew any thing 
 about Sunday School teaching till this winter. I had 
 supposed, for thirty-five years, that when the Jess(ins were 
 well recited, and a few earnest and serious remarks were 
 made, our work was done. But this winter has sho^'u us 
 that it was not yet begun ! — and that all the lessons of 
 Qeograjahy, Chronology, and Biography were all as nothing. 
 This winter, we sought the salvation of the soul. The 
 beginning, middle and end of our teacliing has been to pluck 
 perishing souls from everlasting burnings. No teacher ever 
 thought of resting a moment, till this was realized. Thus 
 whole classes, one after another, were converted to (jiod." 
 
 "The work commenced in the class of a teacher, whoso 
 liability to instant death from chronic disease admonished 
 him continually that he might be on the last hour of his 
 probation. So he labored, and so he prayed. Soon all his 
 class felt it, and conversions became frequent, so as to attract 
 the attention of other teachers. " This," said the devoted 
 teacher, " This is the way, in all this glorious work, that 
 God has wrought in us and by us ; in connecti(jn with the 
 most marked adaptation of every sermon by our pastor to 
 the peculiar state of mind and the varying wants of the 
 congregation, through every stage of the revival : showing 
 that his heart was in full sympathy with the work of God, 
 watching for souls as they that must give account, that they 
 may do it with joy and not with grief" Barely has there 
 been a more instructive illustration of the great Christian 
 axiom,thsit jtt.^ in 2^ro2W7iio7i to the ivisdom cmd faithfulness 
 and perseverance em'ployed in the application of trutli, for the 
 conversion of men, will the blessing be found. Why may we 
 not all appropriate the benefit of this great discovery in 
 Sunday School teaching, and though late, begin our lives 
 anew." The whole number admitted to the church by 
 profession since its organization and the installation of its 
 
228 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. 
 
 present pastor, is 338. The whole number received both by- 
 letter and profession, 642. 
 
 NASHUA.- 
 
 Peael St. Church.— Rev. E. E. Adams. 
 
 For several years prior to 1845, the accommodations of 
 Rev. Mr. Richards' honse of worship were insufficient for all 
 who were desirous of attending upon his preaching ; but 
 until spring of 1846 the way "did not seem fully prepared 
 for the establishment of another religious society. At this 
 time measures were taken which resulted, Sept. 3d, in the 
 organization of the Third Congregational Church, now Pearl 
 Street Church, with 66 members, 55 of whom were from the 
 " OKve Street Church." David Baldwin and Josiah Kit- 
 tredge were subsequently elected deacons. 
 
 For more than a year, and until their house of worship 
 was completed, the church held their meetings on the Sab- 
 bath, in the Town hall, and their prayer meetings, general- 
 ly, in the vestry of the Olive Street Church. During a 
 period of more than nine months, while the church was wait- 
 ing for her pastor, one member was removed by death, and 
 18 — two by profession and 16 by letter — were added. The 
 number of the church at this time was 83. 
 
 Rev. Leonard Swain, the first pastor, was ordained June 
 24, 1847, and after a very faithful and successful ministry, 
 he was called to the Central Congregational Church in Prov- 
 idence, R. I. and was dismissed April 5, 1852 for that im- 
 portant field of labor. During his ministry were frequent 
 hopeful conversions, and the winter before its close, the 
 church was blessed with a more special revival of religion, 
 the fruits of which were gathered subsequent to his dismis- 
 sion. The removals for this period, were five by death and 
 42 by letter ; admissions by profession, 47 ; by letter, 83. 
 From April 5, 1852 to Aug. 31, 1853, while the church was 
 without a pastor, the removals by death were five, and 19 by 
 letter. The additions were, by profession, 33, and by letter, 
 13. The present pastor. Rev. Ezra E. Adams, late from 
 Havre, France, was installed Aug. 31, 1853, and during this 
 last period of 26 months have been occasional hopefirl con- 
 versions, and at the present time are some indications for 
 good. The additions to the church have been by jirofession, 
 seven ; by letter, 22. Removals have been by letter, 42, 
 
 * Sketch by Dea. Josiah Kittredge. 
 
NEW BOSTON. 229 
 
 and by doath, 11. Among the latter was Dea, David Bald- 
 win, to till whose office Bedford W. Lane was subsequently 
 elected. The church now luinibers 182 members — 223 hav- 
 ing been added to the church since its organizatiim less 
 than ten years ago. There have been 34 infant baptisms. — 
 The amount contributed for the various benevolent objects 
 will not vary much from $1000, annually, — some years 
 more. One member of this church has finished his thc(_)logical 
 course at Andover, and has been preaching in Illinois for 
 more than a year, — one now in college has the ministry in 
 view. The pastor receives §1300. 
 
 NEW BOSTON. 
 
 Presbyterian Church. 
 
 Settlements began to be made here in 1733. A grant 
 was given of it to some men of Boston in 1736. New 
 Hampshire incorporated it in 1763. These dates illustrate 
 the fact that the settlement, grant, and incorporation of 
 towns often occurred at different periods of time, and, this 
 fact being overlooked, many have mistaken the date of one 
 of these events for that of another. Much confusion has 
 hence arisen. Tlie residence of the grantees — Boston — sug- 
 gested its name, New Boston. 
 
 Dr. Whiton says that no record of the time of the forma- 
 tion of the church exists, but Farmer gives 1768 as the 
 period. Dr. Whiton allows this to be the probable date. — 
 Kev. Solomon Moore, born in Newtown, Limavady, Ireland, 
 educated at Glasgow, was settled here Sept. 6, 1768. He 
 is represented as a man of estimable qualities and a good 
 preacher. He was susjjected of opposing the American 
 Revolution. Some earnest whigs among his people, for a 
 time, would not hear him preach. He was arrested, charg- 
 ed with opposition to the cause of freedom, carried to Exe- 
 ter the temporary capital of the State, and, it is thought, 
 suffered a brief imprisonment. He subsequently professed 
 allegiance to the State and had a comfortable ministry until 
 his decease May 3, 1803, at the age of 67. He was a Cal- 
 vanist, but not of the "strictest" school. 
 
 Eev. Ephraim P. Bradford was born in Milford, in 1776, 
 a son of Harvard in 1803, and was ordained, Feb. 26, 1806, 
 pastor of this church. His pastorate extended to his death 
 Dec. 15, 1845, at 69 years of age. During his ministry of 
 thirty nine years and ten months he saw the great goodness 
 
230 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. 
 
 of the Lord. He was a finished scholar, gave much time to 
 the study of the original Scriptures. About 1816 he was 
 appointed ]iy the Legislature one of three men to investi- 
 gate the attairs of Dartmouth college, and Ids was one of the 
 names at one time before the public to fill the vacant chair 
 of the presidency of that institution. 
 
 Seasons of revival were enjoyed during his ministry. In 
 1814 an unusual attention to serious things was witnessed 
 here. Many of the youth were affected. It seemed to be 
 connected with a grievous sickness which preceded it. In 
 1830, 155 members were reported. In 1832 another season 
 of the manifestation of the grace of God occurred, and 75 
 were admitted to the joys and toils of the church of Christ. 
 And again in 1836 the heavenly sanctuary shed its influence 
 upon this lavored people and 60 were added to the visible 
 kingdom of our Lord. 
 
 Mr. Bradford was a man whose character cannot be prop- 
 erly noticed here. Kev. J. G. Davis who was present at his 
 funeral writes of him and of that scene : — " During the last 
 tive years of his life, no dissentient voice had been uttered 
 in all the dehberations and votes of his society. Yet there 
 were times in his ministry when the question of removal 
 was urged upon liis attention as a matter of duty. In a 
 time of deep embarrassment, when asked ' why he did not 
 go/ he replied, 'nothing but a remembrance of my final 
 account keeps me at New Boston.' In the season of his 
 severest privations he was not without the sympathy of 
 many, while, at a later period, his people abounded in the 
 riches of their liberality. Spirituality of mind marked the 
 latter portion of Iris life. 'I wonder' said he, at one time, 
 ' that Christians do not speak more frecpiently of their pros- 
 pects and future home.' 'Precious heaven,' he exclaimed, 
 to a friend a few days before his decease. 
 
 Twenty two ministers of the gospel, of different names, 
 but common faith, gathered about the remains of the eldest 
 of their number. Disease had touched him lightly, and the 
 stroke of the great leveller was scarcely visible. A smile 
 rested on his noble and expressive features, and he lay hke 
 a strong man stretched in sleep. The calm benignity of his 
 nature seemed triumphant even in death. We moved to 
 the house of God, a building erected under his own super- 
 vision in the prime of his ministry. On the table at wliich 
 he had so often ministered in the choicest symbols of reli- 
 gion, lay the father, the friend, and the pastor of that peo- 
 ple. The choir sung a hymn whose burden was of red. 
 The eldest of the surviving ministers led in prayer. 
 
NEW irswicH. 231 
 
 'Unless I greatly err,' said the preacher, Rev. Dr. AVhi- 
 ton, 'the judgment of this assembly will sustain the remark, 
 that in going through all the circles of society in our county, 
 probably no death could have occurred, that would have 
 called forth a larger public tribute of regrets and tears.' — 
 The judgment of the assembly did sustain the remark. The 
 whole congregation wept. 
 
 He was interred in the old burial ground on the liill-side, 
 near the site of the former Meeting-house, at a point which 
 overlooks the rest of the yard. The spot was well chosen, 
 as if that he who had led tlaem in Ufe, should rest nearer the 
 heavens, and be their leader at the resurrection." 
 
 His successor. Rev. E. M. Kellogg, was installed in 1846 
 and dismissed by the Presbytery in 1852, and is now pastor 
 at Mason Village. Some members were annually added 
 during his ministry. 
 
 The present members of the church number 165. They 
 ai-e abundantly able to sustain a pastor, and will doulitless 
 evince that al)ility ; although it would not be remarkable, if, 
 ■^vith such an eminent instance of ministerial excellence as 
 Mr. Bradford presented for so many years to their view, in 
 full remembrance, they should find a spirit of forbearance 
 and a charitable judgment needful, both in the selection and 
 permanent support of the man whom the Holy Ghost may 
 make their next "overseer." 
 
 NEW IPSWICH. 
 
 Rev. Samuel Lee. 
 
 New Ipswich was originally settled by men who feared 
 God and recognized their obligations to sustain the institu- 
 tions of religion. The original grant by which they became 
 proi^rietors of the soil makes a reservation of a certain piece 
 of land for the support, in part, of the Christian ministry. 
 This grant is dated April 17, 1750. At the first legal meet- 
 ing of the proprietors held the 20th of June following, it was 
 " voted to choose a committee to provide a proper person to 
 preach in said town." A similar vote was passed the year 
 following, and also the subject of building a Meeting-house 
 discussed. In 1752 it was " voted to have constant preach- 
 ing in said town for the future, and to build a Meeting- 
 house." This house was not completed till the year 1754. 
 Nov. 26, 1754, it was " voted to come into some method to 
 settle a minister in this place ;" also, " to set apart the first 
 
232 IIILLSBOEOUGH COUNTY. 
 
 Wednesday in January next for a day of fasting and prayer 
 to God for liis directing of us in the choice of a minister." 
 Feb. 4tli, 1755, " voted that Mr. Peter Powers he our gospel 
 ministei-." A committee was chosen to confer with Mr. 
 Powers and report at an adjourned meeting. At this meet- 
 ing, April 29th, it was ''voted not to comply with Mr. Pow- 
 ers' principles concerning baptism, that he Avould not admit 
 any to liaptism without they came to full communion." Mr. 
 Deliverance Smith was afterward invited to become their 
 pastor, and declined. 
 
 Nov. 26, 1759, Mr. Stephen Farrar received a call which 
 he accepted, but was not ordained till the following year. 
 Oct. 21, 1760, a council was convened for the twofold pur- 
 pose of organizing a church, and of ordaining Mr. Farrar as 
 its pastor. The church was organized that day, and Mr. 
 Farrar ordained the day following. 
 
 The ministry of Mr. Farrar is ju'obably the most impor- 
 tant particular in the history of New Ipswich, and contrib- 
 uted, preeminently, to render the place what it has been and 
 now is — a place distinguished for its steadfast adherence to 
 the religion of the Puritans. Mr. Farrar's ministry was able. 
 Although not a man of extensive reading, he was an inde- 
 jicndent and correct thinker. His ministry was evangelical. 
 At a period when so many in the sacred ofHce in New Eng- 
 land were evidently unconverted, and as a consequence Ar- 
 minian, Mr. Farrar steadflistly adhered to " the faith once 
 delivered to the saints." His ministry was faithful. He 
 feared God and Him only; and according to the standard 
 of that day, discharged with fearlessness, yet with affection, 
 the duties of a pastor and of a minister of the Lord Jesus 
 Christ. His ministry was long. Settled at the early age 
 of 21 years, he continued to labor, with that affection which 
 commences in "first love" and matures and strengthens, 
 though its ardor may abate, with advancing years, up" to the 
 hour literally, (for he died in a fit,) of his death. This oc- 
 curred in his 70th year. He died June 23, 1809. 
 
 There seems to have been but one general revival during 
 the ministry of Mr. Farrar. That was such as to merit 
 particular notice. The writer has taken much pains to ga- 
 ther the facts from living witnesses who were the subjects of 
 the work. This revival commenced in the autumn of 1785, 
 and continued through the winter and into the summer fol- 
 lowing. Of the feehngs that preceded the revival, on the 
 part of Christians, little can be learned, as no one who was 
 then such is now among this people. It seems there was 
 less of expectation of a revival than Christians now have 
 
NEW IPSWICH. 233 
 
 learned to entertain ; though there was much tenderness 
 and concern for the souls of men. It should also be remem- 
 bered that this was a period of great darkness and declension 
 in the New England churches ; being about forty years after 
 the revivals in the day of Edwards, and seven years previous 
 to tlie ^e^'ivals which commenced in Connecticut under Giif- 
 fin in 1792 ; and that, to the re-action of the excesses of the 
 revivals of 1740 in some respects so glorious, were now added 
 the. baleful influences of the Revolution, and of the French 
 infidelity that came to us with the aid so essential to our 
 armies from that nation. The Christians of that day knev/ 
 not what a revival was. When it occurred, it was a thing 
 entirely novel. The following incident witnessed by the per- 
 son who related it, though himself at the time an uncon- 
 verted man, is full of meaning in this connection : About a 
 year before the revival, Mr. Farrar was at the house of his 
 father, who was a member of the church, and conversing with 
 him on the state of religion at the time. In the course of 
 the conversation Mr. Farrar remarked, "/ have now been 
 more than twenty years in my ministry here, and knoxo not 
 that I have done any good," and burst into tears and wept 
 freely. This is significant of what were the feelings of at 
 least the minister, and probably of some others of the church 
 for a period previous to the outpouring of the Spirit ujion 
 the people. 
 
 As stated above, the revival began in the fall. The sud- 
 den death of a young lady had great effect upon the puWic 
 mind. In the latter pai't of Decemlter the solemnity had 
 become very deep and general. On Sabljath preceding the 
 first Wednesday in January, 1786, Mr. Farrar preached from 
 Isa. 32: 2 — "A man shall be a hiding place from the wind, 
 and a covert from the tempest," — with great eftect. On the 
 following Wednesday occurred a Quarterly Church Fast, 
 which the church, it seems, had been accustomed to observe, 
 not as the means especially of preparing the way for a revi- 
 val, but for the general purpose of promoting their sanctifi- 
 cation. This meeting was attended l:»y unwonted numbers, 
 not only of the church, but of others. Upon this assembly 
 the Spirit came down in Pentecostal power. All were sub- 
 dued. After the meeting was closed, the people did not dis- 
 perse for nearly an hour, l)ut staid, anxious to converse on 
 the subject of their own personal religion. The report of 
 what transpired at this meeting, as made by those who were 
 present, had a thrilling eftect upon the people generally. 
 Such scenes were unknown in that day. None living had 
 witnessed the like. Hence the novelty of the facts, as well 
 16 
 
234 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. 
 
 as their intrinsic importance, deepened the interest of the 
 occasion. 
 
 From this time through the winter, the work was " with 
 power." The excitement was very great. The winter was 
 severe and the snow deep, hut it did not cool the burning 
 zeal. Successive meetings were often held during the whole 
 day, and by adjournment from one place to another. At 
 these conference meetings individuals would sometimes arise, 
 and in their distress exclaim, "What can I do to be saved.?" 
 So anxious were people to attend meetings that the sick were 
 carried and laid on beds. Mr. Farrar attended these meet- 
 ings as far as possible, and preached ivithmit notes — preached 
 in tears, literally, and his auditors sobbing around him. In 
 some cases, when private dwellings could not accommodate 
 the many who attended, he would resort to the barn ; and 
 ■with his auditors around him on the floor, and above him on 
 the scaffold, dispense to them the word of life. So great was 
 the demand for ministerial labor that clergymen from the 
 neighboring churches came to the aid of the overburdened 
 pastor. The members of the church also were abundant in 
 labors. They made it their great business to converse with 
 the impenitent to convert them to Christ. Young converts 
 at once put on the harness as if enlisted in the service of 
 Christ. 
 
 The time during which persons were under conviction in 
 this re\ival is thought to have been about three weeks. The 
 subjects of the work were of all ages, from children of four, 
 seven, and twelve years, up to extreme old age. And, if we 
 may judge from such of them as have been living within the 
 last twenty years, the conversions must have been genuine, 
 and the consecration to Christ full and practical. So far as 
 known, a solitary individual alone remains, a monument of 
 the grace of this memorable period. As the fruits of tliis 
 revival, there were added to the church during the year 1786, 
 88 members, and in the year following, 10, by which the 
 church was more than doubled, there being but 91 members 
 before. 
 
 This work of grace was followed by revivals in neighbor- 
 ing places, especially in Temple and Ashby. On election 
 day in 1786, the young people of New Ipswich went to Ash- 
 by to hold a religious meeting with the young people of that 
 place. The minister of Ashby was present, as also Mr. Far- 
 rar, but the exercises were conducted, chiefly, by the young 
 converts from New Ipswich. They told what G-od had done 
 for their souls, and exhorted their young friends to repent. 
 
 There was no other revival during "the ministry of Mr. 
 
NEW IPSWICH. 235 
 
 Farrar though it continued more than twenty years. From 
 a document in the handwriting of Mr. Farrar, with the cap- 
 tion " Persons who have owned the Covenant," it appears 
 that the "half-way covenant," so called, was observed by 
 the church from 1762 to 1771, at least. 
 
 Kev. Richard Hall succeeded Mr. Farrar. He was ordain- 
 ed March 12, 1812. After receiving his call, he could not 
 immediately be ordained. The pulpit meanwhile was occu- 
 pied by Rev. John Burbanks, under whose labors a revival 
 commenced, so that when Mr. Hall entered upon his pro- 
 fessional duties, he found liimself amid the responsibilities 
 and encouragements of a powerful work of the Spirit. As 
 the fruits of this revival, 140 united with the church in the 
 years 1811, '12 and '13. Another re\'ival occurred in 1821, 
 in wliich year and the following, 73 were added to the church 
 — a harvest gathered at great expense to the pastor. He 
 fell a victim to excessive labors. He bled at the lungs, and, 
 after two years of suffering, died July 13, 1824, aged 40. — 
 Mr. Hall was born in Mansfield, Conn., was educated at 
 Middlebury, Vt., and at the theological seminary Andover, 
 Ms. His ministry was successful, and he enjuyed in a high 
 degree the confidence, and the love of his church. As a 
 pastor, he was aflfectionate and affable. As a preacher, 
 fearless and faithful, his manner partaking largely of the 
 severe. He was an intelligent, and self- vindicating disciple 
 of the "exercise" school of his day. 
 
 Rev. Isaac R. Barbour was next pastor of the church ; 
 ordained March 8, 1826, and dismissed in September of the 
 same year. 
 
 Rev. Charles Walker was ordained Feb. 28, 1827 — dis- 
 missed Aug. 26, 1835. The ministry of Mr. Walker cover- 
 ed a period in the history of the American churches of 
 great interest. It was preeminently the period of revivals. 
 In the blessings that were poured upon our land the church 
 in New Ipswich shared largely. In the years 1831-2 large 
 additions were made to the church. Appended to the list 
 of church members Mr. Walker left the following : "The 
 church in 1827 numbers 173 members. From my settlement 
 Feb. 1827_, to Feb. 1835— eight years— there were added 173 
 by profession, 131 of whom were baptized in their infancy ; 
 43 by letter. About 50 removals and deaths." But_ these 
 blessings came not unmingled. A melancholy feature in the 
 history of this period is the record of its, literally, ceaseless 
 troubles. Dm-ing the ministry of Mr. Walker of but eight 
 and a half years, there were held 106 meetings of the church 
 for business ; many of them, it is said, beginning in the 
 
236 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. 
 
 afternoon, continued till late in the evening ; two ecclesias- 
 tical references ; two mutual councils, and one ex pay-te 
 council — all having reference to the difficulties of the church. 
 Mr. Walker was succeeded in the pastoral office by the 
 present incumbent, Kev. Samuel Lee, who was pastor of the 
 Evangelical church in Sherburne, Ms., when called by the 
 church in New Ipswich. He was installed pastor of the 
 church May 5th, 1836. The day in wliich to write the 
 history of his pastorate is yet future ; 299 have united with 
 the church since his connection with it. It may, perhaps, be 
 proper to remark that the spiiit of trouble which manifested 
 itself in Mr. AValker's day was not dismissed with liim, but 
 continued to exhibit its power under his successor, till, in 
 1852 a second church, constituted under the law of elective 
 affinity, was organized. Since this time the First church 
 has known much of " the peace of God ;" has remodeled its 
 Meeting-house, and is in external prosperity. " Hitherto 
 hath the Lord helped us." 
 
 NEW IPSWICH. 
 
 Second Congregational Church. 
 
 The second Congregational church in New Ipswich was 
 organized Oct. 9, 1851, with 57 members— 21 males, 36 
 females. Most of these were dismissed from the first church 
 at their own request, for the specified purpose of being 
 organized into another church. It was believed that the best 
 interests of religion among this people required this organi- 
 zation. After worshiping a few months in a hall, the society 
 purchased a church edifice and re-fitted it in a convenient 
 form. A Sabbath School was immediately organized with 
 some 85 or 90 members. Donations in Bibles, Testaments, 
 and Sabbath School books, were received from various indi- 
 viduals from abroad. A reed organ, clock, and other church 
 furniture, were also presented to the society. 
 
 A pastor, Eev. J. Ballard, was installed July 14, 1852, 
 and dismissed in 1855. Since the organization of the church, 
 25 have been added to their number, making a total of 82 
 members ; the additions being, eleven by profession, and 
 fourteen by letter. The society have raised and appropri- 
 ated for purposes of religious worship, about $ 4400. The 
 last year, they contributed $ 114 to charitable objects 
 abroad. The average attendance on public worship is sup- 
 j)0sed to be about 150. 
 
PELHAM. 237 
 
 PELHAM.s 
 
 Rev. Charles Rockwell. 
 
 The town of Pelham was incorporated July 5, 1746. — 
 Previous to this time, the east part of the town had been 
 under the jurisdiction of Dracut, and the west part under 
 that of Dunstable, so that when the town was incorporated 
 there were quite a number of flimilies in the town, and so 
 the subject of building a Meeting-house and of procuring a 
 minister received a more promj)t and early attention than 
 it might otherwise have done. The same year in which the 
 town was incorporated, the people voted to build a Meeting- 
 house and to expend £ 60 for preaching, and it was sustain- 
 ed most of the time till a minister was settled in the place. 
 
 At a to^vn meeting June 3, 1751, Kev. James Hobbs was 
 chosen "their gospel minister." They gave him £70 old 
 tenor as a settlement, and £40 old tenor as an annual sala- 
 ry ; and at another meeting, soon after, they gave him £ 100 
 in addition to his settlement, and £lOO in five annual 
 instalments, in addition to his salary ; and also 25 cords of 
 lire wood annually. The church in Pelham was formed, 
 (consisting of ten men,) and Mr. Hobbs was ordained its 
 first pastor Nov. 13, 1751. He was Arminian in sentiment ; 
 and the covenant that was, at that time, adopted by the 
 church was in accordance with those sentimenta. Mr. Hobbg 
 died June 20, 1765. Thirty seven persons came into the 
 church in his time. 
 
 The town next invited Amos Moody to become their min- 
 ister ; and they proposed to give him £ 70 sterling money as 
 a settlement, and £ 55 as an annual salary. He was ordain- 
 ed Nov. 20, 1755. His sentiments were similar to those 
 of his predecessor. During the ministry of Mr. Hobbs. and 
 for twelve or fifteen years under Mr. Moody the people were 
 harmonious, and were in the confidence of their ministers^ 
 but in 1780 to 1792, in wliich year Mr. Moody was dismiss- 
 ed, much evidence exists that he had lost the confidence of 
 the people, as a minister. The opposition to him was so 
 great that a new parish was formed, and when, in 1791 oi- 
 '92 the new parish was about to form a church and settle a 
 minister, it was thought by many of the leading men of 
 both parishes that an effort should be made to unite the 
 town again, and the result of that effort was, that if Mr. 
 Moody would withdraw, and leave the town to choose a 
 new minister, the existing difficulties might aU be settled. 
 
 * Facts by Mr. A. Gage. 
 
238 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. 
 
 Accordingly he was dismissed Oct. 24, 1792. He had 
 admitted 61 members to the church. The seceding parish 
 then united with the old parish, but it was about six years 
 before a minister was settled in the place. During those six 
 years 25 candidates had been employed, to two or three of 
 whom invitations to settle had been presented, but were not 
 accepted for want of unanimity or harmony among the 
 people. Twenty members were received, while they were 
 without a pastor. 
 
 A town meeting, Aug. 27, 1798, unanimously invited to 
 the oversight of the church Mr, John Hubbard Church, and 
 promised him $500 as a settlement, and $333,33 as an 
 annual salary. He was ordained Oct. 31, 1798. The cove- 
 nant adopted at the formation of the church was modified 
 and made more Calvinistic near the close of Mr. Moody's 
 labors. No confession of faith had been adopted until the 
 day before the ordination of Dr. Church. Then, at a church 
 meeting held for the purpose, he j^resented a confession of 
 faith, and also a covenant which were adopted by the church, 
 which were entirely orthodox in sentiment, and which, with 
 some little revision, remain in use at the present time. Dr. 
 Church remained pastor until Sept. 30, 1835, in which time he 
 received into the church 191 members. In his letter of res- 
 ignation he says, "For a considerable time past, I have been 
 desirous that my place should be filled with a more active 
 and useful servant of Christ. I am much gratified with the 
 present prospect of its being done." The church and socie- 
 ty had a short time previously voted, unanimously, a call to 
 Mr. John Keep to become their pastor, and voted him 1 550 
 as an annual salary and the privilege of being absent four 
 Sabbaths in each year. He accepted the call and was 
 ordained Sept. 30, 1835. In the summer of 1841 Mr. 
 Keep's health failed him so much, that he felt it to be his 
 duty to ask a dismission. He was dismissed Oct. 13, 1841, 
 having admitted 40 persons to membersliip in the church. — 
 In the summer of 1842, Rev. Jacob Chapman was called to 
 the work of the ministry here, but he did not settle because 
 there was a want of unanimity in the votes of the church 
 and society. 
 
 In Jan. 1843 a unanimous call was given to Rev. Cyrus 
 W. Allen. He was installed Feb. 1, 1843. He continued 
 to be the pastor until May 1847, when, at an ecclesiastical 
 council convened to take into consideration the expediency 
 of dissolving the pastoral relation, Mr. Allen stated, "that 
 he deemed it necessary to his comfort and usefulness that 
 he shoidd remove from his present field of labor." He was 
 
PELHAM. 239 
 
 accordingly dismissed May 12, 1847. Sixteen were added 
 to the church during this ministry. Eev. Eden B. Foster 
 was next engaged for one year. He commenced his labors 
 the second Sabbath in June 1847. Before the year expired, 
 the church and society voted, nearly unanimorisly, to give 
 him a call for settlement, voting him $600, afterwards 
 increased to $700 as an annual salarj\ He was installed 
 June 21, 1848. In November or December of 1852 he 
 received a call from the John Street church in LoweU, Ms. 
 He was dismissed Jan. 18, 1853, having received eight per- 
 sons to the church, and one was received after he left. No 
 pastor was obtained until the summer of 1854, when a unan- 
 imous imitation was presented to Kev. Charles Rockwell, 
 with a stipulated annual salary of $700. He was installed 
 Aug. 30, 1854. All the funds belonging to the society for 
 the support of the gospel are about $1000 in railroad stock 
 bequeathed the society by Mr. James Cutter, who deceased 
 in 1853. There have Ijeen 384 members from the beginning. 
 Of infant baptisms there are on record 744. Four young 
 men from this church have pursued a coiu-se of study, and 
 have been ministers of the gospel. The people of this town 
 are not so much a "church going people," as formerly. It 
 was once very common to see one-half of the entire popula- 
 tion at meeting, especially through the summer season. — 
 But at the present time the average number who attend 
 public worship would fall rather below one-fourth of the 
 population. No powertlil revivals of religion have been 
 enjoyed in this place as in many places. Yet the Spirit of 
 the Lord has manifested itself in several instances in an 
 especial manner, in awakening and converting sinners. Dr. 
 Church's labors in the first year of his ministry, were the 
 means of the conversion of 27 who professed their faith in 
 Christ. Then again in 1813 and '16 there were evident 
 tokens of the Spirit's presence, and quite a number were 
 renewed in heart. From midsummer 1827 to midsummer 
 1828, nearly 40 were added to the church as the fruits of a 
 revival enjoyed at that time. And again in the latter part 
 of 1831 a "protracted meeting" was held and resulted, as 
 was hoped, in the conversion of 20. In the year 1836, 
 although no especial revival was enjoyed, still, the operations 
 of the Spirit were manifest in the conver.sion of some 16 
 souls. During the past year, there has been one life member 
 made by contribution to the American Board ; three to the 
 American Home Missionaiy Society ; three to the American 
 Tract Society ; and one, in part, to the Society for the aid 
 of Western Colleges, — in all, more than $500 devoted to 
 benevolent objects. The present number of the church is 89. 
 
240 HILLSBOBOUGH COUNTY. 
 
 PETERBOROUGH. 
 
 This town lias a somewhat intricate ecclesiastical history. 
 Many dark and many bright points are in it. The pastors 
 of this church have been Rev, John Morrison a native of 
 Pathfoot, Scotland, settled in 1766— dismissed m about five 
 years ; Rev. David Annan of Cupar of Fife, m Scotland, 
 settled in 1778~dismissed in 1792 ; Rev. Elijah Dunbar a 
 native of Canton, Ms., a graduate of Harvard m 1794, set- 
 tled Oct. 23, 1799— dismissed June 27, 1827 ; Rev. Abiel 
 Abbot, a Unitarian, was settled the day Mr. Dunbar was 
 dismissed. The church became Congregational under Mr. 
 Dunbar and finally a majority of them Unitarians. In 1840 
 Dr. Abbot received Rev. Curtis Cutler as colleague pastor 
 of the Unitarian church. 
 
 The settlement of this town was commenced before 1740, 
 l>y emigrants from Londonderry, and from Lunenburg, Ms. 
 The present Unitarian church was originally Presbyterian,^ 
 and was probably gathered at, perhaps /)f/bre, the ordination of 
 Mr. Morrison in 1766. He remained here less than six 
 years ; and his successor, Mr. Annan, not quite fourteen. 
 Both were from Scotland. Of neither of these men will 
 truth allow a favorable representation : though both were 
 respectable in point of talent. They were orthodox in sen- 
 timent, but reprehensible in depoi'tment. Both contributed 
 to beget in the popular mind an indifterence to Presbyte- 
 rianism, and a prejudice against orthodoxy, the effects of 
 which were lasting and unhappy. Mr. Morrison, after his 
 dismission, became skeptical and profligate, joined the Brit- 
 ish army, and died in South Carolina, Dec. 10th, 1782, aged 
 39. He was born May 22d, 1743. Such was the conduct 
 of Mr. Annan that, some years after his dismission, he was 
 deposed from the ministry by tlie Presbytery of London- 
 derry. He went to Ireland, and there died in 1802, aged 
 48. He was born April 4tli, 1754. The pestilent examples 
 of these two men were enough to bring a blight on religion 
 in any place ; the chief wonder is, that they were tolerated so 
 long. A tithe of their immoralities would, at this day, put 
 down the character of a minister almost below hope of 
 redemption. At the settlement of Mr. Dunbar, 1799, the 
 church adopted the Congregational discipline. In his theo- 
 logical views, he was Anti-Calvinistic. Several members of 
 the church still adhered to Presbyterianism, though they 
 generally attended his ministry for many years : on condi- 
 tion, however, that the communion be administered once in 
 a year in Presbyterian form, at the expense of the town. 
 
PETERBOROUGH. 241 
 
 A Presbyterian church was orp;anized by the Prcsbyterj^ 
 of Londonderry, June 19th, 1822, consisting of several mem- 
 bers of the old church, who had never adopted Congregation- 
 al principles, and dissented from the Arminian views of the 
 pastor. Tliis body, with the aid of other individuals, erect- 
 ed in 1825 a Meeting-house, a mile from the village, which 
 was afterwards removed to the village, and received Eev. 
 Peter Holt as their pastor. He saw much fruit of his faith- 
 ful labors here ; and after his resignation, ministered to the 
 church in Deering, as stated supply, from 1835 to 1841. — 
 He left in the church in Peterborough 122 members. 
 
 Kev. William Pine followed Mr. Holt — was settled in June 
 1836 and dismissed in less than a year. Piev. Mr. Barrett 
 then preached here for a time. 
 
 Eev. James K. French, a native of Prospect, Mc. in 1809, 
 was settled here in 1840, and dismissed in 1847. He reported 
 but 105 members in 1841. For several years previous to his 
 settlement, trials and discouragements fill the history of the 
 people of Grod in Peterborough, and there were found many 
 honest hearted Christians who remembered "the days of old," 
 who, as they reviewed the events of " father Holt's" minis- 
 try and his dismission, were wont to declare it their belief 
 that the judgments of Grod were following them. But a sea- 
 son of prosperity, of union, of activity, and of large increase 
 followed, commencing in 1839 and continuing until 1849. 
 Now was seen a full attendance upon the means of grace, a 
 large and flourishing Sabbath School, and general harmony 
 in the church and society. In 1841 and '42, sixty two mem- 
 bers were added by profession and twenty eight by letter. 
 
 Kev. Henry J. Lamb was installed pastor of the church 
 in July 1847 and dismissed in Nov. 1852. In 1853 Eev. 
 Andrew Bigelow supplied the desk six months, closing his 
 labors in Jvlj. 
 
 The deacons at the present time, are, John Vose, Watson 
 Washburn, Samuel Maynard. The pastor's salary has usu- 
 ally been raised by voluntarj- subscription. In one or two 
 instances a tax has been levied upon the members of the 
 society connected with the Presbyterian church. The sum 
 paid to pastors has varied from f 400 to | 500 per annum. 
 The present number of communicants is 56. 
 
 CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 
 
 A Congregational church was organized in Peterborough in 
 Oct 1853, since which time the two churches have worshiped 
 together in the Presbyterian house, whenever they have 
 
242 HILLSBOBOUGH COUNTY. 
 
 enjoyed the labors of a minister. Kev Mr. Merwin was 
 employed six months in 1853 and 1854, by the Presbyterian 
 church. Kev. Daniel McClenning was employed nearly a 
 year by the Congregational church, closing his labors in 
 September 1855. The deacons of the Congregational church 
 are Nathaniel Moore, Joel Fay, Andrew H. Farnsworth. — 
 The present number of communicants is 40. 
 
 With a population of 2,222 in 1850, it is important that 
 a strong evangelical influence should be found} abiding here. 
 To secure this there must be among the chosen people of 
 God, forbearance, union, labor and obedience to Jesus' word 
 ■ Havefaitli in God." 
 
 ii 
 
 SHARON. 
 
 A small town containing 400 inhabitants in 1820, and 
 now 226. No religious organization exists here, and no 
 permanent ministry of truth is enjoyed. The place has not 
 been wholly overlooked by the friends of God, and not 
 entirely passed by of him. In 1835 Rev. J. Holt labored here 
 three months, and felt encouraged by the state of things. A 
 church of seven members was formed, and Rev. E. Hill 
 preached the word of life unto the people. In 1839 Rev. 
 Charles Shedd was employed by the Missionary Society to 
 preach here. Again in 1842 God visited this little waste 
 place, and 18 hopeful conversions were reckoned, and ten 
 were added to the church under the labors of Rev. E. Hill. 
 In 1844, the Rev. S. Harris formed here a church with three 
 male and six female members. Who can say that aid 
 came in vain from the stronger churches to this 23eople ? 
 Will not the Lord remember that little spot yet again ? May 
 we not more justly ask, will the prayers and alms, and faith 
 of God's people be continued in reference to this and similar 
 fields ? They offer the best theater in which Christian love 
 can display her untiring zeal. 
 
 TEMPLE.* 
 
 Rev. George Goodyear. 
 
 The view from the highest ground here is verj' fine. It 
 was said by Farmer and Moore, thirty five years ago, that, 
 from the Temple mountains in the west part of the town, 
 
 * Sketch by compiler. 
 
TEMPLE. 243 
 
 " twenty Meeting-houses may be seen when the atmosphere 
 is clear." Originally a part of Peterborough Slip, it was 
 incorporated Aug. 26, 1768. 
 
 The Congregational church was gathered Oct. 2, 1771, and 
 at the same time Eev. Samuel Webster of Salisbury, Ms. 
 ■was ordained pastor, and remained until his death in about 
 six years. He was followed by Rev. Noah Miles who was a 
 native of Westminster, Ms., graduate of Dartmouth in 
 1780, and settled in the ministry here Oct. 2, 1782. 
 
 A few things gathered up concerning these ministries by 
 Dr. Whiten, we think fit to place before the reader : — 
 " The ministry of the first pastor, Mr. Webster, though 
 short, left a favorable impression of his piety and worth. 
 Being zealous in the cause of his country, he engaged, with 
 the consent of his people, as a chaplain in the Northern 
 army, in 1777. He was soon seized with hemorrhage from 
 the lungs, returned home in a debilitated state, and died 
 Nov. 14th, 1777, aged 34. He was born Sept. 16th, 1743. He 
 gave to the town a lot of land for the supjport of the gospel. 
 Soon after the accession of Mr. Miles in 1782, the influence 
 of the great revival in New Ipswich extended into Temple, and 
 left precious and durable results. Mr. Miles was eccentric 
 in his modes of expression and illustration, Ijut was held in 
 high respect for probity, consistency, and decision. He died 
 Nov. 20th, 1831, in the 50th year of his ministry, and 80th 
 of his age, in full hope of a better Hfe beyond the grave." 
 
 The number of members in the churches in the State first 
 enters the Minutes of the General Association in 1819. 
 Temple acknowledges at that time 65 members. In 1821-2 
 a very powerful work of grace was enj(iyed and the church 
 was much enlarged. About 50 were added to its commun- 
 ion. It does not again appear in the minutes until 1832 
 after the death of Mr. Miles, and with its numbers reduced 
 to about 60. 
 
 Eev. Leonard Jewett, a native of HoUis, educated at Dart- 
 mouth in 1810, was settled here March 6, 1833, and dis- 
 missed July 5, 1844. FaUure of health required his resigna- 
 tion. He enjoyed, to a good degree, the affections of his 
 people, and they parted with him with regret. He removed 
 to HoUis. In 1833 10 were added to the church; in 1836— 
 38 ; in 1837—14 ; in 1838—7, and the church numbered 
 125 — almost double the membership when he settled. 
 
 Eev. Walter FoUet, a graduate of Middlebury in 1825, 
 
 , was settled here July 25, 1844, and dismissed after about 
 
 ten years service. Since 1810 the population has gone down 
 
 from 941 to 579, and the institutions of religion always lose 
 
244 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. 
 
 by a decrease of population. Quite a number came into the 
 church during Mr. FoUet's ministry. 
 
 April 25, 1855, Rev. George Goodyear became the pastor 
 of the people. The church now embraces 94 members, in a 
 population of 579 souls— 173 less than in 1820. _ In 1838, 
 about one iifth of the entire popidation were in this church. 
 God has here, evidently, a people for his name, and they 
 should feel that, for the honor of that name,^ he will hear 
 their supplications if attended with a spirit of humiliation, 
 and of active, Christian labor. 
 
 WEAEE. 
 
 Although no Congregational church now exists here, it is 
 worthy of record that one once existed. June 17, 1789, a 
 church was duly formed. It was not strong. The habits 
 of thought of the jieople were not consonant with the doc- 
 trines of our churches. But the church lived and exerted 
 some good moral influence. Thirteen years after its organi- 
 zation, it had sufficient ability to offer successful inducements 
 to Rev. John Clayford from England to settle among them 
 in the ministry. He was ordained Oct. 20, 1802, and labored 
 here almost six years. He was dismissed may 4, 1808. A 
 Baptist church was formed here in 1783, — a Freewill Baptist 
 church Oct. 20, 1806. The town was incorporated Sept. 
 21, 1764. Population in 1820, 2781 ; in 1850, 2436. 
 
 WILTON.* 
 
 The first church in Wilton was organized, and Mr. Jona- 
 than Livermore, the first minister, was ordained on the same 
 day, Dec. 14, l763, the next year after the incorporation of 
 the town. He was a native of Northborough, Ms., born 
 1739, graduated at Harvard 1760. He was in the pastoral 
 office fifteen years ; and was dismissed by an ecclesiastical 
 coimcil 1778. He died here July 20, 1809, aged 79 years. 
 Eight persons entered the church at its organization ; 40 
 families, only, resided in town at the time. About two 
 weeks after its formation, as appears from the church records, 
 the wives of six men were received into the church, — proba- 
 bly wives of men received at its organization. The Lord's 
 Supper was first administered here May 27, 1764. The 
 
 * Sketch by Rev. W. Richardson. 
 
WILTON. 245 
 
 whole number received into the cliurch during this ministry 
 was 147, — 118 by profession and 29 by letter. No articles 
 of faith or rules in regard to admission to the church appear, 
 excei)t a covenant to which members were required to give 
 their assent when received into the church. This covenant 
 stands on the records as tbllows : — ''You now solemnly and 
 publicly give up yourself to God in an everlasting covenant, 
 acknowledging the Lord Jehovah to be your God ; acknowl- 
 edging Gotl the Father to be your Creator ; the Lord Jesus 
 Christ to be your Savior ; the Holy Spirit to be your Sanc- 
 tifier. You promise to take the Holy Word of God for the 
 man of your counsel, — declaring that you fix your hopes and 
 expectations on the promises, and that, through divine grace 
 enabling you, you will live according to the instructions 
 therein exhibited ; obeying all the precepts, and cijnupljdng 
 with all the ordinances therein enjoined. You enter, partic- 
 ularly, into covenant with this church, engaging to hold 
 communion with it, in all the ordinances of tlie gospel — 
 especially. Baptism and the Lord's Sujjper — and promise to 
 submit to its discipline, wherein it observes the laws of 
 Christianity given by Christ and his Apostles, and that, as 
 far as God shall enable you, you will live in the constant 
 practice of aU Christian duties — secret, private, public, and 
 social, — that you will love God, honor the King and do good 
 to all men, especially to the household of faith. Amen." 
 
 "I promise, in the name of the church, that we will watch 
 over you, not for your halting, but for your editicatinn and 
 comfort, praying that we and you may be built up together, 
 a spiritual house, and may offer spiritual sacrifices, holy and 
 acceptable to God, and that we may finall}' meet together 
 in his heavenly kingdom." A son of Mr. Livermore stated 
 that a majority of the people in town, (and he knew of but 
 one individual exception) were members, either in full com- 
 munion, or were admitted to the church by the half way 
 covenant, and had their children baptized ; consequently we 
 find in the records 316 baptisms under his ministry. 
 
 Mr. Abel Fkske who was born in Pepperell, Ms'., 1752, — 
 graduated at Harvard, 1774, — was ordained here Nov. 18, 
 1778, — retained his office twenty four years, till his death, 
 April 21, 1802, aged 50 years. During his ministry 245 
 were received into the church ; 179 by profession and 66 by 
 letter. It is said by those who knew Mr. Livermore, that 
 he was a faithful, devoted and successful minister of the gos- 
 pel, and highly esteemed by his people. 
 
 Mr. Thomas Beede, a native of Poplin, born 1771, — grad- 
 uated at Harvard, 7198, — was ordained in Wilton, March 2, /'/('. k: 
 
246 HILLSBOROUGH CODKTY. 
 
 1803. He retained his office twenty six years and was dis- 
 missed hy a vote of the church, Jan. 15, 1829. During his 
 ministry 126 were received into the churcli ; 115 by profes- 
 sion and 11 hy letter, and 126 baptisms are recorded. 
 
 A confession and covenant were drawn up at tlie time of 
 his ordination and adopted by tlie church, and they are pre- 
 cisely the same now in use in the second Congregational 
 church. The confession commences thus: — "You believe 
 in one only living and true God, in three persons, Father, 
 Son, and Holy G-host." It embraces not only the Trinity, 
 but all the essential doctrines of the gospel as held by ortho- 
 dox churclies at the present time. Mr. Beede was consider- 
 ed Trinitarian in his views during the first part of his min- 
 istry, and union and harmony prevailed in the church gener- 
 ally till the year 1822, when a vote was passed by the church 
 which caused dissatisfaction, and resulted in the secession of 
 the second Congregational church. Mr. Beede at this time 
 became a decided Unitarian. After leaving Wilton he was 
 settled over a Universalist church in Maine. 
 
 Mr, Stephen A. Barnard was ordained as a Unitarian 
 minister, Jan. 13, 1830, over the first church, held his office 
 tlii-ee years and was dismissed at his own request, by a vote 
 of the church April 25, 1833. Five members were received 
 into the church under his ministry. At his settlement the 
 Confession and Covenant were again revised, and the doctrines 
 of the Trinity, of depravity, and the necessity of regenera- 
 tion are left out. It has been said that Mr. Barnard has 
 since become orthodox and is now settled over an orthodox 
 church. Abner Dumont Jones succeeded Mr. Barnard, and 
 was ordained Jan. 1, 1834. These minutes were taken from 
 their records about this time and we have no means of trac- 
 ing the history of that church any farther. The First Bap- 
 tist church in Wdton was formed April 7, 1817, consisting 
 of 18 members. The Second Conrjregational Church in 
 Wilton was organized July 18, 1823, consisting of 17 mem- 
 bers, seceders from the first church. The first pastor, Wil- 
 liam Kichardson, was a native of Gilmanton, studied theol- 
 ogy at Andover, and was ordained over the church Dec. 15, 
 1830. He was dismissed bv an ecclesiastical council Oct. 
 29, 1840. There were added to the church 119 under his 
 ministry ; 40 infant, and 17 adult baptisms ; 21 removed by 
 death. After Mr. Richardson's dismission Eev. Charles 
 Whiting was settled in 1843, and remained about six years. 
 Twenty one were added to the church during his ministry. 
 In 1846 it reported 120 members ; it now embraces 84, and 
 these, hj faith in Jesus' name, may yet see as in days past 
 the salvation of our God. ' * 
 
€\p\im C0imti). 
 
 ALSTEAD. 
 
 Rev. S. G. Teknet. 
 
 The town of Alstead, originally "JSfeiafon," was granted 
 August 1763 ; first represented at a Provincial Congress in 
 1775 ; and in March 1776 the first town meeting was holden. 
 It is helieved that the first settlers of this town reverenced 
 God and di\'ine institutions. Religious meetings were sta- 
 tedly held, ^ith much harmony and profit, when the num- 
 ber of famihes was very small and they were destitute of 
 preaching. 
 
 The first baptisms were administered September 1768, by 
 Eev. Thomas Fessenden, of Walpole. In 1770, the toivn 
 chose nine men to conduct religious worsliij). One of this 
 number was appointed to procure a minister. In 1773, a 
 committee was chosen to select a site for a house of worship. 
 The same year, the town employed Mr. James Treadway to 
 supply them with preaching ; and, subsequently, they gave 
 him a call to settle with them in the ministry. He declined 
 because no church was there organized. In 1776, a vote was 
 passed by the town to build a house of worship ; yet this 
 object was not effected till 1781. In 1777, a church was 
 gathered. But in consequence of the loss of its first records, 
 no details can be gathered respecting its organization. In 
 anticipation of the interesting and important event of organ- 
 izing a church, those who were expecting to constitute it 
 held a fast. They met in a barn, and Eev. Mr. Fessenden, 
 of Walpole, was present. The Lord's Supper was first ad- 
 ministered to the church by Rev. Mr. Hall, of Keene. The 
 same year a caU was renewed to Mr. Treadway, but a large 
 and important minority opposed his settlement, and a union 
 was not formed. In 1780, the late Dr. Payson, of Rindge, 
 was employed as a candidate. In June, 1781, the church 
 and town gave Mr. Jacob Mann a call to settle with them in 
 the ministry. They offered him the right of land, designed 
 for the first settled minister, and thirty pounds settlement, 
 and sixty pounds salary, to be increased ten pounds at the 
 
248 CHESHIKE COUNTY. 
 
 end of Beven years, and to continue increasing ten pounds for 
 every seven years afterwards. Mr. Mann, at first, declined 
 the call, but it was afterwards renewed, and lie was ordained 
 in February, 1782. In May, 1789, he was dismissed. He 
 was a _<:^raduate of Brown University in 1774. 
 
 In 1788, a considerable number of this church, becoming 
 dissatisfied with the minister, or ministers employed, (who 
 were thought, by many, not to be pious,) withdrew and 
 united with others, in constituting the second Congregation- 
 al church, located in the East Parish. In September, 1790, 
 the church and town gave Mr. Samuel Mead a call to settle 
 with them in the ministry. They offered him two hundred 
 pounds settlement and seventy five pounds salary. His sal- 
 ary was, subsequently, raised to eighty pounds. He was 
 ordained in June, 1791 ; and was dismissed in 1797. Un- 
 settled and erroneous sentiments caused the dismission of 
 both Mr. Mead and Mr. Mann. The council that dismissed 
 Mr. Mead say, " how could a society, set up for the light of 
 the world, so long countenance as a Christian minister, a 
 man whose unsettled and erroneous sentiments give so much 
 reason to suspect that he himself had need to be taught the 
 first principles of the oracles of God.^^" The moderator of 
 this council was Rev. Aaron Hall, and the scribe Eev. Seth 
 Payson. Various preachers were employed, after Mr. Mead 
 left until 1815, — Rev. Archibald Campbell in 1799, and Eev. 
 Shipley Wells in 1811, remained one year each. The church 
 remained about eighteen years without a settled pastor, and, 
 during this long period, became very much unsettled and 
 greatly disheartened ; and the people in town had become so 
 divided into diflerent denominations that the gospel could 
 no longer be supported as formerly by the town. At this 
 crisis the church, and those out of it who were willing to 
 unite in supporting the gospel, resolved to make an eflbrt to 
 obtain an act of incorporation, as a religious society. This 
 was granted in June, 1815. This movement inspired the 
 church with new courage, and it resulted in a revival of re- 
 ligion. Thus God sanctioned their efforts, and a new era 
 commenced in the history of the church. God smiled and 
 they rejoiced. 
 
 In the spring of 1815, they employed Mr. Seth S. Arnold, 
 a graduate of Middlebury college in 1812, to preach. He 
 was a man of excellent spirit. They subsequently gave him 
 a call to settle with them ; and, in January 1816, he was 
 ordained as their pastor. They gave him a settlement of 
 $700, and a salary of $400. In the fall of 1833, Mr. Ar- 
 nold, in consequence of protracted feeble health, proposed to 
 
ALSTEAP. 249 
 
 the church and society to employ anotlier minister, and, on 
 April 24, 1834, Kev. Darwin Adams was installed over them, 
 at which time Rev. Mr. Arnold was formally dismissed. In 
 September, 1842, Mr. Adams Avas dismissed. Their next 
 pastor was Rev. Robert Crossett. He was installed in May, 
 1843, and dismissed May 1850. The cause of the dismis- 
 sion of the two last pastors is not very dissimilar to that of 
 very many that have occurred during the late fastidious and 
 fickle period. There has been unusual rehgious attention, 
 in this town, in 1788, 1798, 1808, 1815, 1819, 1826, 1835, 
 and 1841. In 1788, there was a general revival of religion 
 throughout the town. In 1815 tins parish was visited with 
 a precious season of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, 
 by the fruits of which, the church was considerably increased 
 in numbers and strength. In the spring of 1835, sixty per- 
 sons, ''and in the spring of 1841, twenty two ])ersons were 
 added to the church, as the result of a protracted meeting, 
 at each time. The other seasons of revival were more lim- 
 ited, or confined, princi2:)ally, to the east 2)arish. 
 
 In July 1842, twenty members of this church were 
 dismissed, at their request, and recommended as proper 
 persons to be constituted into a church at Paper Mill Village. 
 This church and society possess a permanent fund of alxjut 
 $ 3000, the interest of which is appropriated to the sujiport 
 of the gospel among themselves. But this fund does not 
 tend to the increase of Christian activity or benevolence. The 
 amount annually given by this church and society, for 
 benevolent objects, is about sixty dollars. The average 
 attendance on piublic evangelical worship, in tliis to^vn, 
 cannot be much more than 350 persons. The whole number 
 of members of the church from the first, is about 340; and 
 infant baptisms, 360. This church has furnished four men 
 for the ministry. 
 
 The church now is only a remnant of its firmer self. 
 The present circumstances of the church differ widely from 
 what they were forty years ago. Then, tliis was quite a 
 business place. Here were m^n of large property and 
 commanding influence, a goodly number of whom were 
 members of the church. But these men are either dead or 
 have left the place ; and the business is gone. The present 
 population of the parish consists, almost entirely, of fxr- 
 mers — good livers, respectable, but not wealthy. Hence 
 it is easy to judge of the difference in question. The 
 annual additions to the church have not, for some years, 
 been equal to the numl^er of those who die and emigrate. 
 The youth, at an early age nearly all leave the place. 
 17 
 
250 CHESHIRE COUNTY. 
 
 The last of July 1850, Kev. S. G. Tenney commenced his 
 labors with tliis church, and is their minister at the present 
 time. 
 
 In Dec. 1790, a Cahdnist Baptist Church was organized 
 in this place ; and for many years, it was very prosperous, 
 and became quite numerous. At length, in connection with 
 the Universalists, they erected and occupied a Meeting-house 
 at Paper Mill Village; and, finally, the church became 
 extinct. 
 
 ALSTEAD EAST. 
 
 Rev. Bezaleel Smite. 
 
 A number of individuals residing in the east part of 
 Alstead, becoming dissatisfied with the minister of the town 
 on account of his apparent want of vital godliness and purity of 
 morals, sought letters of dismission from the church, for the 
 purpose of forming a new one among themselves. Being 
 denied this privilege, by importunity and jjerseverance, they, 
 at length, obtained letters to become connected with churches 
 in other towns ; and from these they were dismissed and 
 organized — eighteen in number — into a church Nov. 20, 1788. 
 
 Sept. 2, 1789, Eev. Levi Lankton from Soutliington, Conn, 
 a graduate of Yale, was settled over them in the gospel 
 ministry. And though, on account of a feeble voice and 
 slow delivery, his manner was not regarded as interesting, 
 the matter of his sermons was always good. Practical, dis- 
 criminating, biblical, his public discourses and private con- 
 versation ever seemed to flow from a heart overflowing 
 with love to God and love to man. Thus he scattered the 
 seed of divine truth, watering it with his tears, and 
 following it with his prayers ; yet it apparently yielded 
 but little fruit in his own time. Only 93 were admitted to 
 the church during his ministry of a third of a century. But 
 the precious grain was not lost — it was found " after many 
 days." His holy example and godly conversation were ever 
 an excellent comment on the doctrines he inculcated, and 
 thus he became, what his people and their descendants 
 denominated, " an every day preacher." Though his con- 
 nection with the church was not formally dissolved until a 
 successor was appointed, he left the people in June 1823, 
 and went to reside with his only child, who married Mr. 
 William Fay of Westborough, Ms. ' He removed subse- 
 quently with the family to Marietta, Ohio, where he died, 
 
ALSTEAD. 251 
 
 ■with heaven full in view, about the year 1843. On account 
 of the failure of his voice he was unable to speak much in 
 public for sometime pre'saous to his resignation, but his influ- 
 ence was deeply felt and by many appreciated. An emi- 
 nently pious lady exclaimed, as she saw him turn away from 
 the place, " The glory is departed from Israel." 
 
 Her words seemed almost prophetic ; for, from this time, 
 through some adverse influences, iniquity came in like a 
 flood, threatening to destroy all the good seed that had ever 
 been sown. The church became greatly reduced, and it was 
 believed by neighboring ministers that it must die. The 
 gospel was, indeed, dispensed a portion of the time, by dif- 
 ferent ministers, but it did not stay the tide of irreligion 
 that was bearing down upon them. After Mr. Lankton 
 left, the care of the church was committed to Kev. Mr. 
 Arnold, pastor of the first church, who acted as its modera- 
 tor, and soon became their spiritual teacher one fourth of 
 the time. 
 
 Such was the arrangement in 1826, when Mr. Moses 
 G-erould, from Stoddard, commenced the study of theology 
 with Mr. Arnold. Their conversation, soon after this, turned 
 upon the condition of the people in the east parish, and Mr. 
 Gerould incidentally remarked, " I should be willing to go 
 over and hold a religious meeting with them, once a week, 
 if they would like." The proposal was made and accepted. 
 Meetings were commenced Sabbath evening Oct. 15th, which 
 became increasingly full, solemn and interesting. On one 
 of these occasions a man arose altogether unexpectedly, and 
 declared his intention of seeking an interest in Christ ; and, 
 requesting the prayers of God's people, he entreated his 
 companions to commence with him a Hfe of religion. A 
 scene of deep and thrilling interest ensued. Nearly the 
 whole audience were bathed in tears. The meeting closed — 
 the people dispersed, but a revival of religion had com- 
 menced which continued through the ensuing winter with 
 great power and glorious results. The little church which 
 had for some time contained no men as members, and but 
 two women under 50 years of age, and only about 25 in all, 
 became enlarged and strengthened by the addition of more 
 than seventy individuals ; some forty of whom were heads 
 of families. Numbers cherished the Christian's hope who did 
 not then profess religion, and numbers also from other places, 
 who connected themselves with other churches, making near- 
 ly one hundred who, in the course of that revival, became 
 the hopeful subjects of renewing grace. Thus the seed 
 which was so carefully sowed and faithfully watered by that 
 
252 CHESHIRE COUNTY. 
 
 man of God, their first minister, produced an abundant har- 
 vest. To the honor of God and as an incentive to jirayer, 
 it should he recorded that a few devoted ones, in this little 
 church, continued, during all this season of darkness and 
 abounding evil, to wrestle with God in secret, sometimes 
 in social gatherings, that he would appear in his glory, 
 and build up Zion hy bringing their sons and daughters 
 within her sacred inclosure. And in the result, it was found 
 that many of the young, for months previous, had had their 
 attention directed to the concerns of their souls and were 
 thus prepared for the more effectual operations of the Divine 
 Spirit. 
 
 At the earnest solicitation of the people, Mr. Gerould, who 
 had passed the winter with them teaching school and attend- 
 ing religious meetings, in May obtained license to jjreach the 
 gospel, and entered 'upon the responsible duty here, where 
 mutual interest and attachment had become exceedingly 
 strong. Influenced by the continued, earnest desire of the 
 peoj)le, he consented at the expiration of a year, to take 
 upon him the oversight of this flock — now numbering 100 — • 
 as pastor. He was set apart to this work by solemn ordina- 
 tion. May 22, 1828 ; the civil contract being for five years. 
 
 Besides occasional conversions, there were two other revi- 
 vals of considerable extent and power, during his ministry ; 
 one in 1834-5, which brought nearly 50 into the church, 
 and another in 1840 and '41 which added 18 more to the 
 professed followers of Christ ; maldng 139, in all, who came 
 out from the world and owned the Saviour while he labored 
 among them. And though no disaffection was manifested 
 towards him, the relation was dissolved July 2, 1844, having 
 continued more than sixteen years. 
 
 Mr. Alvah C. Page, after preaching as a candidate for a 
 time, was installed pastor here, the 22d of October following. 
 Remaining with them nearly three years, he was dismissed 
 May 19, 1847. Five were added to the church in his time. 
 Eev. James. W. Perkins immediately succeeded him, and 
 was installed the following autumn. Considerable interest 
 in spiritual things was manifested, on the part of the young 
 especially, at the time of his installation, and a revival 
 ensued, which resulted in twenty five or thirty hopeful con- 
 versions. Mr. Perkin's ministry continued until June 16, 
 1852, a period of about five years, and was terminated in 
 consequence of the failure of his health. Thirty seven were 
 added to the church while he was its pastor ; and the same 
 council which dissolved the connection of Mr. Perkins, 
 installed Rev. Bezaleel Smith, who still continues Ms pasto- 
 ral labors in that highly favored portion of our Zion. 
 
ALSTEAD. 253 
 
 Eight young men have entered the ministry (one of them 
 being connected with the first church,) in the Congregation- 
 al denomination ; two others, leaving that church, became 
 Methodist ministers ; and two are now prejiaring for the 
 sacred oliice. One who commenced a course of study with 
 the same object in view, abandoned it on account of the fail- 
 ure of his eyes ; another, of much promise, died while a 
 member of college, and three young ladies have become 
 greatly useful as the wives of ministers. 
 
 Thus the influence of the first minister, especially, is 
 descending to following generations, and extending over the 
 world, to the honor of religion and the glory of God. He 
 laid foundations wliich have not been destroyed. 
 
 ALSTEAD— PAPER MILL VILLAGE. 
 
 Rev. Benjamin Obee. 
 
 The Congregational church in Paper Mill Village was 
 organized Aug. 3, 1842. It was formed of members from 
 the following churches : 20 from the church at the Center, 
 eight from the church in Langdon, one from the church in 
 Acworth, and one from the church in East Alstead. Three 
 were united by profession, making the whole number 33. 
 
 The reason for the formation of this church grew out of 
 the location of its members. This village is in the north 
 west part of Alstead three miles from the church in the 
 center, making it inconvenient for those residing hero to 
 attend worship there. Another consideration : there was a 
 large and pressing population here, with only one Meeting- 
 house and that an Universalist — a majority of the inhabit- 
 ants favoring that denomination. Here was the home and 
 field of the early labors of the notorious Abner Kneeland, 
 and the seeds of error sown by him have brought forth an 
 abundant harvest. As a natural consequence, the soil was 
 unfavorable to the growth of an evangelical religion. The 
 church has never been blessed with a revival of religion ; 
 owing, perhaps, not so much to the fact that infideUty was 
 so strongly rooted here, as to the fact that they have never 
 enjoyed the ministration of a stated or settled ministry. — 
 The pulpit has been supplied during the twelve years of its 
 existence, by five different ministers as "stated supplies." 
 
 Their first minister was Rev. Darwin Adams, who remain- 
 ed with them about three years. He was succeeded by 
 Rev. John Lawrence, who supplied them one year. He was 
 
254 CHESHIKE COUNTY. 
 
 followed by Rev. S. S. Arnold, who continued with them a 
 little over two years. After him, the pnlpit was suppHed 
 by Rev. E. Jennison and Rev. G. S. Kemp. 
 
 The present minister, Rev. Benjamin Ober, commenced 
 his labors in May 1854. It is to be hoped that this church 
 will soon learn the necessity of a stated ministry to their 
 spiritual enlargement. There have been but four_ additions 
 to the church by profession, since its organization, one of 
 them at the last communion. Sixteen have been added by 
 letter, maldng the whole number, that have been connected 
 with the church, 56. There have been 13 dismissions, 10 
 deaths and one excommunication, leaving the present num- 
 ber, 32. The average attendance upon the Sabbath is about 
 80. The sum contributed annually to benevolent objects, 
 about 1 30. The amount contributed for the support of the 
 gospel about $ 300. There is no parsonage or fund belong- 
 ing to the society. There liave been no remarkable events 
 to chronicle, connected with this church. Its existence has 
 been short. Its history must be brief 
 
 & 
 
 CHESTERFIELD.* 
 
 This town was granted in 1752 to twelve persons by the 
 name of Willard, and 52 others. The first settlement was 
 made in 1761. The Congregational church was formed in 
 1771 ; and the Rev. Abraham Wood, a graduate of Harvard 
 in 1767, was ordained the first pastor Dec. 31, 1772. He 
 continued to labor till April 29th, 1823, when the Rev. 
 John Walker was installed liis colleague. Mr. Wood 
 continued tiU the following October, when he died at Ches- 
 terfield, aged 75. The Rev. John Walker was a graduate of 
 Dartmouth in 1808. He had been before settled at Green- 
 field, N. H. Mr. Walker continued pastor tiU April 22, 1829, 
 when he was dismissed. He afterward went to the West 
 and is now in Vermont. The Rev. Elihu Smith, a graduate 
 of Dartmouth in 1804, and who had been previously settled 
 at Castleton, Vt., was installed as Mr. Walker's successor, 
 May 23, 1832, although his labors began in the year 1830. 
 He continued pastor till Dec. 2, 1834, when he was dismissed. 
 Twenty-six were added in his ministry. He has since been 
 laboring in various places, and is now in Vermont. Rev. J. 
 Ballard was here in 1835, and Rev. Mr. Beckley for three 
 years afterwards. 
 
 * Sketch by Z. Barstow, D.D. 
 
DUBLIN. 2§g 
 
 Eev. B. E. Hale was settled here Ang. 31, 1842. Consid- 
 erable religious interest was manifested during his ministry 
 of about five years. Thirty were added to the church. Eev. 
 Messrs. Patten, Marble, and Newhall followed, each in a 
 short ministry. But the cause of religion has not been in 
 the ascendant. The present number of this church is 53. 
 Population in 1820, 2110; in 1850, 1680. 
 
 DUBLIN.* 
 
 Rev, E. F. Abbott. 
 
 The first settlement of this town is supposed to have been 
 made about 1750. In 1775 the population had reached 305. 
 The town was incorporated in March, 1771. In May of the 
 same year a meeting was called and the town organized, ac- 
 cording to the provision made in the charter. At dift'erent 
 times the subject of raising money to hire preacliing was 
 brought before the proprietors ; yet it does not appear they 
 ever appropriated any for that purpose. All that was ap- 
 phed to that purpose must have been furnished by the set- 
 tlers themselves, and this must have been but little, pirevious 
 to the incorporation of the town. We are told that the first 
 sermon preached in the township, was at Eli Morse's in the 
 autumn of 1767. It was preached by the Rev. Samuel 
 Locke, who at length became President of Harvard college. 
 It is probable that the ministers in the vicinity preached at 
 different times for the new settlers in Dublin ; for they came 
 from towns in which the institutions of religion were main- 
 tained, and would appreciate the influences of the gospel. 
 This would lead us to suppose that they would secure preach- 
 ing as often as practicable. The Eev. Joseph Farrar of Lin- 
 coln, after preaching twelve Sabbaths, received a call Oct. 
 17, 1771, from the town, to settle with them as their gospel 
 minister. He was ordained June 10, 1772, and the first 
 church was organized on the day of his ordination. He 
 graduated at Harvard coUege in 1767. He was considered a 
 man of more than ordinary talents, and faithful in discharg- 
 ing the duties of his office. But after two or three years he 
 began to entertain strange fancies — a state of mind which 
 was supposed to arise from bodily infirmities. And, as his 
 mind became more disordered, the church became uneasy, and 
 a council was called to consider the matter. They advised 
 that he be suspended from the exercise of his ministeria] 
 
 * Skelch by Rev. G. S. Kemp. 
 
256 CHESHIRE COUNTY. 
 
 office for the sjiace of six months. But before the term of 
 susjjensiou expired, in accordance with the wishes of both 
 pastor and church, he was dismissed June 7, 1776. A meet- 
 ing was held on the day of Mr. Farrar's dismission, and the 
 selectmen were instructed to hire preaching six months. 
 They were instructed to procure three preachers. Receipts 
 show that several were obtained. 
 
 In August 1777, they voted to settle Mr. Edward Sprague. 
 The salary voted was sixty pounds. He also received ten 
 pounds a year until it should make a hundred pounds as a 
 settlement, in case he should continue their minister for the 
 term of ten years. And besides, they were to furnish him 
 with thirty cords of firewood annually. On this ground Mr. 
 Sprague accepted the call, and on the 12th of IN ov. 1777 was 
 ordained over the church and society. The ordination ser- 
 mon was preached by Eev. Dr. Langdon, then jiresident of 
 Harvard college. By an instrument executed Nov. 20, 1777, 
 Mr. Sjirague relinquished his settlement-money of a hun- 
 dred pounds for a lease of the ministry lot. At this time 
 the church numbered forty. At length Mr. Sprague's salary 
 of sixty pounds became wholly inadequate to his support, in 
 consec[uence of the depreciation of paper money. In 1781 it 
 became almost worthless, though in March 1779 the town 
 voted to give him 160 pounds ; and in September following 
 voted to make his salary as good as when settled. An anec- 
 dote is widely circulated of him, " that his people once pro- 
 posed to increase his salary, but he begged them not to do 
 it, for it plagued him almost to death to get what they had 
 already agreed to -paj him." In 1801 Mr. Sprague received 
 from his father's estate a considerable amount of money; 
 after this he proposed to relinquish his salary on certain con- 
 ditions, viz. " that he should retain his j^astoral connection 
 with the church, have the right of supplying the desk with 
 men of piety and good ability, and that the town pay for the 
 services of such preachers." This proposition was accepted. 
 Mr. Sprague died 1817. The year following the town voted 
 to erect a monument to perpetuate his memory. At liis 
 death the church numberecl one hundred and five. 
 
 " Rev. Edward Sprague was born at Boston May 20, 1750, 
 graduated at Cambridge 1770, died Dec. 16, 1817. A min- 
 ister of that day says of him, "When Mr. Sprague came to 
 Dublin he was a moderate Calvinist, but not an accurate dis- 
 tinguisher of doctrines." After he received his portion from 
 his father's estate, when anything was said concerning serious 
 things,he was more inclined to the practice of punning. Yet in 
 the desk he was generally solemn. Many times when speaking 
 
DUBLIN. 257 
 
 of the six painful hours the Saviour suffered, he wept. He 
 did not introduce doctrines into the pulpit to any great ex- 
 tent. Yet he held the doctrine of the Trinity frmly, and the 
 singing of Watt's Doxologies was his delight. When once in 
 conversation with a pious lady, he expressed his regret be- 
 cause the faculty at Cambridge had fallen into the way of 
 thinking as they did in regard to Unitarianism. He did not 
 understand Hopkins sufficiently to go the full length of his 
 belief, and therefore made expressions which have prejudiced 
 the minds of many against Calvinistic doctrines to this day. 
 Still he taught the Assembly's Catechism to the children, 
 probably the first half of his ministry ; and late in liis min- 
 istry he said to his hearers, "that little book (Assembly's 
 Catechism) is too much neglected." The late Kev.- Phineas 
 Cooke came once to preach for Mr. Sprague. Mr. Sprague 
 asked him " if he was orthodox." Mr. Cooke replied, " that 
 he guessed he was sufficiently so for one day." Mr. Sprague 
 was for peace. On one occasion the singers disagreed and 
 finally separated. He asked them, " what Jesus Christ had 
 done to them that they could not sing his praises?" Many 
 of the common anecdotes about Mr. Sprague were mere fic- 
 tion, and some were a gross enlargement on facts. He took 
 a great interest in the Eevolution. He said that he, in com- 
 pany with another young man, walked out of Boston the 
 night the British came in, and he projected the plan of cut- 
 ting the posts to Cambridge bridge, so as to let the British 
 down if they came on. Mr. Sprague was a Federalist. He 
 so much blamed the British for letting Bonaparte escape 
 from Elba, that he said he would not go across the street to 
 prevent him from giving them a good whipping. He at one 
 time said " he did not like those military parades, for they 
 excited the pride of the officers." A few weeks before his 
 death, in speaking of the wars and commotion in Europe, he 
 said, "We shall get out of the way of it soon I hope." He 
 preached his last sermon in usual health ; after closing, he 
 made a few remarks to the people, in which he stated that 
 he had administered the gospel to them forty years : The 
 next Tuesday evening he was thrown from an open carriage, 
 and one ancle dislocated and the ligaments parted, which in 
 less than seven days produced mortification and death. He 
 bequeathed to the town $5000, the interest of which was to 
 be paid to the minister of the Congregational persuasion who 
 shall be regularly ordained and statedly preach in the Con- 
 gregational society, so called. But the interest of this fund, 
 in June 5th, 1820, was voted by the town to the Unitarian 
 society, and which they continue to hold under the guise of 
 
258 CHESHIRE COUNTY. 
 
 Congregationalists. A blinder perversion could not be carrried 
 out ; because there is not a Unitarian who does not oppose 
 every doctrine of the Bible which is essential to salvation.— 
 They pretend to hold with John Kobinson, the founder of Con- 
 gregationalism ; but their sentiments and John Robinson's, 
 any farther than church polity is concerned, have no more 
 affinity than light and darkness. They are an outright de- 
 parture from the faith of the Puritan Congregationalists, 
 from John Robinson's day to this. And they cannot date 
 farther back than about 1803 in this country, to the first 
 pubhshing and preaching of their doctrines. Mr. Sprague 
 gave to the town of Dublin in his will, over $ 6000 for the 
 support of schools. In 1811 the town voted to exempt Mr. 
 Sprague's property from taxation. The year following Mr. 
 Sprague's death, his widow, Hannah Sprague, died July 10, 
 1818, a Christian indeed. She gave the principal part other 
 property to the N. H. Missionary Society. 
 
 "A retrospective view of Mr. Sprague's ministry furnishes 
 an example to ministers, to beware of neglecting to preach 
 all the great doctrines of the Bible in season ; for at the 
 time of Mr. Sprague's death the common people and a large 
 part of his church knew not what persuasion they were of, 
 nor " what manner of spirit they were of." Universalism 
 was strongly advocated but by few. By many Unitarianism 
 was hardly known by name ; and when a minister was want- 
 ed, it was said, it would not do to send to Connecticut for 
 one, lest they should get a stiff Hopkinsian ; though it is 
 said that the com m ittee for procuring a minister, once wrote 
 to a certain institution in that State to have one sent, but 
 appended to the letter certain instructions with regard to 
 tenets. But the corresponding officer of the faculty said in 
 answer, " that they did not furnish such men as they de- 
 sired." After this, Cambridge was the principal place of re- 
 sort for procuring ministers." 
 
 After the death of Mr. Sprague, some seven candidates 
 were employed, when they at length made choice of Mr. 
 Levi Leonard as their minister. He was ordained on Wednes- 
 day, Sept. 6, 1820, on a salary of 1 600— $300 of which was 
 famished by the legacy given by Mr. Sprague evidently for a 
 very different purpose. It seems that the Rev. Dr. Barstow 
 of Keene was not satisfied with the doctrinal views of Mr. 
 Leonard and took no part in the exercises of his ordination. 
 
 The congregation we are told was known as an Orthodox 
 church and society, but, on account of the looseness of their 
 views in regard to the great and fundamental doctrines of 
 the Bible, feU in with the views of Mr. Leonard to a great 
 
DUBLIN. 259 
 
 extent, and, in the course of two years, or in 1822, became 
 so much Unitarian as to abandon the use of Dr. Watts' 
 hymns, and introduce a collection suited to that denomina- 
 tion. From the commencement of Mr. Leonard's ministry, 
 some were dissatisfied with his preaching. They considered 
 his doctrinal tenets a gross departure from the plain and 
 simple teachings of the Bible. Nor did this uneasiness long 
 continue without attempts to secure more satisfying and 
 safer instruction. As soon as 1827, measures were taken 
 tor the formation of a second church and society. Several 
 members requested letters of dismission, which were granted. 
 Letters missive were sent out by these members and an 
 ecclesiastical council was convened at the house of Joseph 
 Appleton, Esq., at ten o'clock, Nov. 21, 1827. The breth- 
 ren were called upon to present the business the council 
 were called to consider. Accordingly, a document was pre- 
 sented certifying their regular standing in the first church, 
 and their dismissal from it whenever they should be formed 
 into another body. The council inquired what was intended, 
 in the letter missive, by their differing essentially from Mr. 
 Leonard's church ? In answer, they made it appear that 
 they held to the great doctrines of the gospel in accordance 
 with the orthodox churches of New England. In view of 
 this, the council proceeded to organize a church consisting of 
 eight members. They adopted the confession of faith and 
 covenant, usually received by the Monadnock Association. — 
 At first their meetings were held in private houses and in 
 the different school houses. For a while they occupied the 
 Meeting-house their proportion of the time, which was eveiy 
 thirteenth Sabbath. Afterwards they were permitted to 
 occupy the Town haU, in case they would give up their 
 privilege of occupying the Meeting-house their part of the 
 time on Sabbath days, and insure the hall from injury in 
 consequence of occupying it. In 1835 they built a church, 
 which was completed and dedicated in 1836. The sermon 
 was preached by Rev. Dr. Bouton of Concord. During this 
 time they employed different preachers, the Rev. Samuel 
 Harris preaching as stated supply two years. In the sum- 
 mer of 1836, the Rev. James Tisdale was engaged, and con- 
 tinued to supply them three years. In September, 1840, 
 Mr. Henry A. Kendall received a call to settle as their 
 minister, and accepted the call. He was ordained Oct. 
 21, 1840. In June 1850, Rev. H. A. Kendall requested a 
 dismission from the church, which took place by advice of 
 council in July following. 
 
 Feb. 4, 1851, the church were unanimous in calling the 
 
260 CHESHIRE COUNTY. 
 
 Eev. Alonzo Hayes to become their pastor. He was install- 
 ed April 30, 18.51. Mr. Hayes left for Washington, D. C, 
 March 1853, hut without a clismission. In 1852 the church 
 numbered 46, — Jesse Morse and Abijah Richardson deacons. 
 Since Mr. Hayes left, different preachers have supplied the 
 pulpit. None, except Rev. Geo. S. Kemp, supplying for the 
 term of one year. The ministerial lots have l^een sold at 
 different periods for $1,440. The last was sold Oct. 27, 
 1777. Until 1842 the Unitarian society have held by vote, 
 the interest of what was given by Mr. Sprague and the 
 avails of the ministerial lands, and have applied the interest 
 for the support of the ministry. In 1842 the interest of 
 the ministerial land fund was divided among three societies. 
 The Trinitarian Congregational Society receive only $13,15. 
 In the year 1837, the Trinitarian Congregational Society 
 built a parsonage, which cost $1,500. Only one native of 
 Dublin has entered the ministry, Rev. Clarendon F. Muzzy. 
 He went as a missionary to Madura. The church records 
 show that there have been from 1827 to the present time, 
 27 adult, and 54 infant baptisms. Since 1827, 73 have 
 been added to the original number, (eight,) that then consti- 
 tuted the church. 
 
 Rev. E. F. Abbott was installed pastor here, with encour- 
 aging prospects, in December 1855, and Mr. Hayes was at 
 the same time dismissed. 
 
 FITZWILLIAM.* 
 
 Rev. JoH\ Woods. 
 
 The first minister who labored here for any considerable 
 period, is supjwsed to have been Mr. Nehemia'h Parker, who 
 graduated at Harvard college in 1763, was ordained at Hub- 
 bardston, Ms. June 13, 1770, and died Aug. 20, 1801, at the 
 age of 58. He supplied the people in Fitzwilliam in the 
 autumn and winter of 1768. 
 
 In Nov, 1770, Mr. Benjamin Brigham, from Marlboro', Ms. 
 who had graduated at Harvard college, in 1764, received an 
 invitation to settle in Fitzwilham, in the work of the gos- 
 pel ministry. In the January following, 1771, he gave the 
 proprietors, who invited him, an affirmative answer, which 
 was formally accepted by them. No church had then been 
 organized. March 27, 1771, was appointed for the ordina- 
 tion of Mr. Brigham ; and on that day a Congregational 
 
 * Facts furnished mainly by W. D. Locke. 
 
FITZWILLIAM. 261 
 
 church, consisting of six members, was organized, and Mr. 
 Brighani was ordained over it as its first pastor ; the ser- 
 vices being lield at the public inn — the Meeting-liouse yet 
 being nntinislied, and in a state unsuitable for tlie occasion. 
 
 " Mr. Brigliaia was a good Divine, and an al)]e and faith- 
 ful pastor, the friend of peace, truth and righteousness. — 
 While he lived he was greatly esteemed and beloved by his 
 people and all his acquaintances, and at his death he was 
 greatly lamented." 
 
 Kev. Stephen Williams, the second pastor, was ordained 
 Nov. 5, 1800 ; and after sustaining the relation of pastor 
 for two years, was dismissed December, 1802. But very 
 little has been learned of him since his leaving this place. — 
 He died several years since, at Woodstock, Conn,, probably 
 his native place. 
 
 Kev. John Sabin, the third pastor of this church, was born 
 at Pomfret, Conn. April 17, 1770 ; graduated at Brown 
 university, 1797 ; was ordained to the work of tlie gospel 
 ministry and settled over the First church in Fitzwilliam, 
 March 6, 1805, and died Oct. 14, 1845, at the age of seventy 
 five years and six months, and in the forty first year of his 
 ministry. 
 
 Kev. Abraham Jenkins, born at Barre, Ms., March 14, 1811, 
 and graduated at Amherst college, Ms., 1838, was iirdained 
 the fifth pastor of the church, Feb. 16, 1848, liaving sup- 
 plied the pulpit for four months preceding. Mr. Jenlrins 
 was dismissed 1853. His was an eflicient ministry, but it 
 terminated amidst many difficulties early in 1854. 
 
 Kev. John Woods from Newport, a native of the town, 
 was soon employed by the church, and, though advanced in 
 years, has entered upon his work with much vigcir and good 
 prospects of success, having fully the afiections of the people. 
 
 From the dedication of the first Meeting-liouse in 1771 
 or '72, to the dedication of the second, Nov. 6, 1816, a period 
 of more than forty years, a large proportion of the citizens 
 met and worshiped under the same roof uj)on the Sabbath. 
 When the subject of building a new house was agitated, a 
 serious division arose on account of its location. Numbers, 
 however, when the location was settled, left the Congrega- 
 tional worship, and united with the Baptists who began to 
 establish themselves here. Nothing schismatical on the 
 ground of doctrinal belief, entered into the elements of this 
 division. But this house, built at a cost of about $ 7000, 
 was burned the following January 17, by lightning. The 
 next November another house, erected upon nearly the same 
 spot, but costing a little more, was dedicated. Both these 
 
262 CHESHIRE COUNTY. 
 
 houses were built by vote of the town, and were, as was cus- 
 tomary then, under its control.. Providentially, the old 
 house "was not taken down until after the dedication of the 
 third one, built in 1817. With the exception of the Bap- 
 tists, the citizens continued to meet and worship at the same 
 house till March 1831, when much di\'ision existed as to 
 what doctrines should be proclaimed from the pulpit, and 
 the town voted to di\ade the use of the house among different 
 denominations. Mr. Sabin, and a large portion of his church 
 and people, worshiped in the village school room, and in a 
 carpenter's shop, till the completion and dedication of their 
 present house Oct. 31, 1832. The body of those that re- 
 mained at the town's house, subsequently formed a Unita- 
 rian society, and have generally had preaching of that per- 
 suasion up to the present time. The church and people 
 worshiping with Mr. Sabin, organized themselves into a soci- 
 ety, Sept. 8, 1831, taking the name of the Fitzwilliam 
 Orthodox Society, and have since supported their preaching 
 by a tax upon the members of that society. About 200 of 
 the inhabitants of the town have worshiped constantly with 
 the Orthodox since the erection of their present house. The 
 Baptists erected a house of worship in 1841. Since their 
 organization about forty years since, they have usually enjoy- 
 ed the labors of a pastor. The average attendance at their 
 house of wor.ship is perhaps 100. It is presumed that about 
 one half of our population of 1500 aim to worship with 
 the Baptist and Orthodox churches. It may here be remark- 
 ed, that almost all the native citizens of the town, upwards 
 of 40 years of age, were subjects of infant baptism, either 
 under the lialfioay covenant, or by parents in full commun- 
 ion. This church has been divided upon doctrinal points, 
 more or less, for upwards of forty years. A separation took 
 place in 1831, when Mr. Sabin with a large majority of the 
 first church left the town's Meeting-house. For a few sub- 
 sequent years, while under his ministry, the church and soci- 
 ety happily flourished. More recently, the introduction of 
 Articles of Faith and Christian discipline, has developed as 
 still existing, some diversity of views of Christian doctrine. 
 The ministry of Mr. Brigham was undoubtedly a salutary 
 one. He died in the midst of hfe, " greatly beloved." The 
 ministry of Mr. Williams, the second pastor, was short and 
 less happy. He was charged with the sin of intemperance. 
 Mr. Sabin was not ordained by the first council convened for 
 that purpose, on account of supposed lax doctrinal views. — 
 A subsequent council, entertaining a different shade of sen- 
 timent, ordained him, and after a few years he was fellow- 
 
GILSUM. 263 
 
 shiped by the ministers of the first council, and eventually 
 became greatly beloved and respected by them. The church 
 too, was divided, and those opposing his settlement became most 
 firmly attached to him in after life, while some of his early 
 friends labored against him in the final division of the church 
 and congregation. He was eminently & practical man, — not 
 disposed to contest subjects of theology in the pulpit, and 
 earnestly desiring and laboring for peace, avoiding needless 
 discipline in the church. His counsels were original and 
 safe, and his influence very extensive and happy. His min- 
 istry of forty years was one of great punctuality and gen- 
 eral usefulness. Under his ministry there were several inter- 
 esting and refreshing seasons. In 1823, '32, '34 and '35, 
 the largest numbers were added to the church. The largest 
 number added in one year (30) was in 1834. These seasons 
 more nearly resembled a general re^aval than any others, 
 before or since that period. Mr. Herrick and Mr. Jenkins 
 labored in contact with many difiiculties. Six natives of 
 town and members of the first church, have prepared them- 
 selves and labored in the gospel ministry. Three of this 
 number are still preaching the gospel ; one other died in 
 course of preparation before entering college, and one recent- 
 ly died after having graduated at Andover theological semi- 
 nary. One young man, formerly member of this church, died 
 a missionary teacher at the Sandwich Islands, under the 
 employ of the American Board. One young man is now 
 preparing for the ministry. This church has never owned a 
 parsonage nor had any funds for the support of the gospel, 
 with the exception of small donations. In the year com- 
 mencing June 1852, the church and society gave for benevo- 
 lent purposes something over $ 500. In 1853, the amount 
 of contributions and donations exceeded that sum. By esti- 
 mate for the last twenty years, their benevolent offerings 
 have averaged $ 400 annually. Present number of the church 
 157. Infant baptisms from the besinnina; to January 1855, 
 1212. ^ ^ ^ y , 
 
 aiLSUM. 
 
 Rev. Ezra. Adam 
 
 This town, first called " Boyle," was granted 1763, to 
 Gilbert, Sumner and others, — called Gilsum, from the union 
 of the first syllables of the names Gilbert and Sumner. — 
 The first settlers were farmers in indigent or moderate cir- 
 
264 CHESHIRE COUNTY. 
 
 cumstances — most of them from Massachusetts and Connec- 
 ticut. They were mainly industrious, virtuous and religious, 
 and of the orthodox Congregational fixith. The Congrega- 
 tional church was organize'd Oct. 27, 1772, of persons in fuU 
 communion with other churches. But no record of the 
 number is extant. 
 
 It cost the town much effort to erect a house of worship, 
 the frame of which was twice removed before it found a per- 
 manent resting place. It was completed and dedicated 
 about the commencement of 1794, though pre^dously more 
 or less occupied. The first pastor of the church, Kev. Ehsha 
 Fish, a graduate of Harvard, 1779, was installed May 29, 
 1794, arTd died March 28, 1807. He was a man of decided- 
 ly evangelical sentiments, and probably gave to the church 
 the character for orthodoxy and stability which it still 
 retains. In the winter of 1805-6 the town was favored with 
 an interesting revival of religion in which between twenty 
 and thirty became hopeful subjects of grace. Of this num- 
 ber, 12, all of them heads of families, united with the church 
 at one time. Previous to this revival, at the suggestion of 
 the pastor, the church observed a daily concert of prayer 
 between eight and nine o'clock, A. M. ; and when the bless- 
 ing descended they felt that it was in answer to prayer. 
 
 During the ministry of Mr. Fish the Wesleyan Methodists 
 began to hold meetings in an outskirt of the town. They 
 gradually gained an influence in some families, particularly 
 those of the deacons, the wife of one of whom left her own 
 church to unite with them. And several of the children in 
 both families became Methodists. Three members embrac- 
 ed the Kestorationist system, and after much patient labor, 
 were excommunicated. A few of the children of the church 
 also renounced the Abrahamic covenant, and united vsdth the 
 Baptists. After the decease of Mr. Fish the people became 
 still more divided in their religious sentiments. Many 
 became indifferent, or opposed to paying for the support of 
 the gospel. Hence it was preached but a small portion of 
 the time. The church became discouraged and her prospects 
 more dark from year to year. In 1816, however, the Con- 
 gregational portion of the community united in the forma- 
 tion of a religious society, which rendered them independent 
 of town control, and enabled them to act with greater facili- 
 ty and efficiency than before. But being few and feeble 
 they could raise but little for the support of the gospel.— 
 Hence the way was prepared for still another denomination, 
 the Christ-ian, to rise and flourish in town. Tliis denomina- 
 tion was planted in 1818, and, under a very zealous leader, 
 
GILSUM. 265 
 
 forty converts were made and baptized — among them four 
 members of the church and some cliildren of the church. — 
 Not only these but many others withdrew from the society, 
 leaving it, as well as the church, a very feeble band — a 
 by-word and reproach among the people. A few, however, 
 continued steadfast and shared with the church all her trials 
 and successes. 
 
 At this period it became evident to the little band that 
 something must be done, or the cause which they held so 
 dear would certainly fail. Accordingly, in the winter of 
 1819, it was proposed one Sabbath morning in one of their 
 families to repair to the house of a good deacon and statedly 
 hold a reading meeting — which before had been held only 
 occasionaUy when they were destitute of a minister — -until 
 Providence should open the way for them to enjoy the 
 preaching of the word. Success crowned the effort. And, 
 though but here and there one was seen repairing to the 
 meeting, while hundreds flocked to the other meetings, a 
 nucleus was formed around which good influences continued 
 to cluster and increase. Here they excited one another to 
 increased liberality and effort to sustain what they felt to be 
 "the faith once delivered to the saints." Here they resolv- 
 ed, in the strength of God, to labor till success should crown 
 them. Nor did they resolve and labor in vain. From that 
 time they raised more money for the support of the gospel. 
 They also organized a Sabbath School, formed a choir of 
 singers, subscribed for religious periodicals, and contributed 
 something to the cause of Christian benevolence. And in 
 1820 they made a successful application for aid, in the sup- 
 port of the ministry, to the New Hampshire Missionary 
 Society, under whose patronage they have been able to 
 enjoy a stated ministry, with little interruption, to the pres- 
 ent time. 
 
 Previous to 1830 they erected a parsonage, which, soon 
 after its completion, was occupied by Rev. Ebenezer Chase 
 their second pastor, who was installed Sept. 22, 1830. Dur- 
 ing his ministry 20 were added to the church. But owing, 
 as is supposed, to his having spent his early days in another 
 connection, and not being yet accustomed to mo^ang in an 
 atmosphere so Puritanic as this, he was led to ask a dismis- 
 sion, which was granted, and the connection dissolved April 
 26, 1833. Next, Rev. Seth S. Arnold supplied the people 
 three years. Subsequently, Rev. William Hutchinson labor- 
 ed here three years ; Rev. Henry White, one year ; Rev. 
 George Langdon nearly two years ; and Rev. James Tisdale 
 seven years, and several others for shorter periods. Several 
 18 
 
266 CHESHIRE COUNTY. 
 
 of the above named were invited to a settlement. All, how- 
 ever, except Mr. White, declined. He assented and a coun- 
 cil was convened. But a sudden and unsuspected opposition 
 sprung up, to the disappointment and grief of many in the 
 church and society, which induced him to reverse his deci- 
 sion and soon leave the place. In Jan. 1850, Eev. Ezra 
 Adams, a graduate of Amherst, 1835, commenced his labors 
 here, and was installed March 19, 1851. He still holds the 
 relation of pastor to the church, to the mutual satisfaction, 
 it is believed, of the parties concerned. In the winter of 
 1852-3, a revival of rehgion of some extent was enjoyed by 
 the different societies, of the fruits of which, nine were add- 
 ed to the Congregational church. The whole number of 
 additions to the church since its organization is 184 ; by 
 profession 121 ; by letter 63. Infant baptisms recorded, 
 218. During the dark period with the Congregational church 
 and society, the use of the Meeting-house was so divided 
 among the different denominations that they worshiped 
 much of the time in private dwellings, and in 1834, under 
 the counsel and encouragement of their minister, Mr. 
 Arnold, they erected the present house which they now 
 occupy, and which is secured in trust for the society, at an 
 expense of $2000. A portion of this expense was defrayed 
 by the sale of the parsonage, it being no longer wanted by 
 the society, as the location of the new house was, by a disin- 
 terested committee fixed in the then neiv village which had 
 sprung up nearly a mile from the center of the town. And 
 it is worthy of remark that the decision of this committee 
 was cheerfully acquiesced in, although it nearly doubled the 
 distance from meeting of several of the most prominent fam- 
 ilies in the society. In erecting the house a debt of about 
 $1100 was incurred, which continued to embarrass the soci- 
 ety for several years. But during the ministry of Mr. Tis- 
 dale, with the blessing of God on a strenuous effort, it was 
 cancelled. Since this time the society has remained free 
 from debt and has been gradually gaining strength. For 
 many years the society has followed that most equable meth- 
 od — taxation — of raising money for the support of preaching 
 and other necessary expenses. Previous, however, to the 
 assessment, all those without the society who are supposed 
 to be friendly to its objects, are invited to subscribe some- 
 thing in its aid. And many are usually found to respond 
 more or less fully to this invitation. And it is felt by those 
 who have been longest conversant with its interests, that 
 the Congregational portion of the town have in a measure 
 outlived the strong prejudices against them that once exist- 
 
HABEISVILLE. 267 
 
 ed, and, having in general been highly favored in the minis- 
 try which they have employed, their influence has done 
 much in restraining ^dce and promoting a general respect for 
 rehgion. Mr. Adams' salary is $ 300, but with no specifica- 
 tion as to how it shall be paid. It is paid, and to it are 
 added from time to time many other tokens of regard, either 
 individually, or in annual visits. The present number of 
 church members is 44. Average annual contributions since 
 Mr. Adams' settlement, $ 60. Ministers furnished from this 
 town, four. Probably one-third of the inhabitants of the 
 town may be called regular attendants on the means of grace, 
 one-third occasional, and one-third non-attendants. Of the 
 two former, one-half are attached to the Congregational 
 interest ; the other to the Baptist, Christian, and Methodist, 
 who worship together in the Methodist house. They report 
 75 members of their union Sabbath School. The Congrega- 
 tionalists report 80. 
 
 HAREISVILLE. 
 
 Rev. VVm. G. Tuitle. 
 
 The village of Harrisville is partly in Dublin and partlj 
 in Nelson. The boundary line separating these two towns 
 passes through the village, dividing it into nearly equal por- 
 tions. The Meeting-house is in Nelson, the parsonage in 
 Dublin. Previous to the formation of a church in this place, 
 the majority of those who attended meeting went to Nelson. 
 Owing, however, to the distance, many in the village and 
 vicinity could go only occasionally. Hence the spiritual 
 wants of a large number were inadequately supplied. This 
 led to the appointment of religious meetings on the evening 
 of the Sabbath, and to the organization of a Sabbath School, 
 which, for several years, was accustomed to meet in the store 
 house belonging to the proprietor of one of the factories. Af- 
 terwards a small chapel was erected for the better accommo- 
 dation of religious meetings and the Sabbath School. 
 
 In process of time, there arose a difficulty in the church 
 in Nelson respecting the propriety of the course pursued by 
 their minister, the Pi,ev. Josiah Ballard, in regard to a ser- 
 mon preached on the subject of baptism. As some efforts 
 were made by a certain evangelist to draw off some of the 
 recent converts, and induce them to join a Baptist church in 
 the village of Munsonville, Mr. Ballard thought it his duty 
 to preach on the ordinance of baptism, with the design of 
 
268 CHESHIEE COUNTY. 
 
 showing that sprinhling is a scriptural mode of baptism. 
 The sermon on this subject, and the general course pursued 
 by the pastor of the church, were approved by some, and 
 condemned by others. The Harrisvilh portion of the church 
 stood unitedly and firmly with their minister.^ For a Sab- 
 bath or two there were two separate congregations. Subse- 
 quently, it was thought advisable by those members residing 
 in this village and vicinity to take measures toward the 
 organization of a church here. Accordingly they requested 
 letters of dismission, and invited the Nelson church to unite 
 with them in calKng an ecclesiastical council, with the view 
 of organizing a new church. The request for letters of dis- 
 mission was granted ; the council was called, and a church 
 formed Sept. 22, 1840, consisting of 31 members. The first 
 Sabbath after the organization, 13 were received by letter 
 from the parent church, making the whole number 44. A 
 call was immediately extended to the Kev. Josiah Ballard 
 to become their pastor, with the assurance of $400 as yearly 
 compensation. The call was at first accepted, but upon 
 more mature deliberation, was declined. 
 
 March 11, 1841, the Eev. 0. C. Whiton was invited to 
 preach one year, with a salary of $400. He accepted the 
 invitation, and entered upon his labors on the 18th of April. 
 Dec. 31, 1841, the church availed itself of the legislative act 
 for becoming a corporate body, and adopted the constitution 
 of a society. Aug. 11, 1842, Rev. 0. C. Whiton was in- 
 stalled pastor of the church by an ecclesiastical council called 
 for the purpose. On the same day, the Meeting-house was 
 dedicated to the worship of the Triune God. Eev. Mr. Whi- 
 ton continued his very acceptable and eminently useful 
 labors for four and a half years, when he was called from 
 his work on earth to his reward in heaven. His death 
 occurred Oct. 17, 1845, — liis age was 51 years. He was 
 much beloved by the people of his charge, and is still 
 remembered by them with an affection that time can never 
 eiface. Through his instrumentality, many are now rejoic- 
 ing in Christ as their friend and atoning Saviour. 
 
 Immediately after his decease, the church and society se- 
 cured the services of the Rev. Jeremiah Pomeroy, which were 
 enjoyed for four years. His eff'orts to build up the Redeem- 
 er's kingdom here were signally blessed. After an interval 
 of a few months, the Rev. Dan H. Babcock was employed 
 for one year. 
 
 The present pastor, Rev. Wm. Gr. Tuttle, was ordained 
 April 16, 1851. The friends of Christ have, from the begin- 
 ning, been obliged to make considerable effort to sustain the 
 
HARBISVILLE. 20# 
 
 institutions of the gospel in this place. Being fe,w in num- 
 ber, it was only by a very great effort that they succeeded in 
 building the chapel, and afterwards the larger and more con- 
 venient brick church. The burden of this enterprise rested 
 especially upon the man for whom the village is named ; he 
 generously contributed one half of the sum necessary for their 
 erection. Owing to the manufacturing character of the pop- 
 ulation, the permanent residents are not numerous. This 
 feature of society operates unfavorably to the growth and 
 prosperity of the church in several ways : 1st, temporary res- 
 idents do not feel that degree of interest in attendance upon 
 public worship which is usual with such as are permanently 
 located : 2d, Many of those who do attend meeting leave 
 the place so soon, that it is difficult to perceive all the good 
 results of preaching which might otherwise be seen : Third- 
 ly, they do not feel inclined to give into the treasury of the 
 Lord, according to their ability : And then, fourthly, it is 
 difficult for a minister to keep up such a familiar acquain- 
 tance with a floating population, as is most conducive to 
 their spiritual interests. It wiU be obvious, from these con- 
 siderations, that a church in such circumstances should be 
 a missionary church, bestowing much labor upon those, who, 
 while living ivith us are not of us ; whose treasiire is else- 
 where, and whose heaHs are there also. In consequence of 
 the increasing number of foreigners, who find employment in 
 the factories, and other influences hostile to the welfare of 
 Zion, the morals of the place cannot be said to compare 
 favorably with what they were ten or fifteen years since. — 
 The annual amount of benevolent contributions sometimes 
 exceeds $100, and sometimes falls short of it. The present 
 method of raising money, for these purposes, is by the circu- 
 lation of subscription papers, once a year. Belonging to the 
 church there are two small funds, the interest of which goes 
 toward the repairing of its buildings, and the support of its 
 minister. One of these, called the "Harris Fimd," is 
 $1200. It was given by the late Bethuel Harris, one of the 
 earliest settlers of the village and a warm friend of Zion. — 
 The_ other fund consists of |1400, given by Miss Chloe 
 White. A portion of the above mentioned property is inves- 
 ted in a convenient and comfortable parsonage, situated at 
 a short distance from the Meeting-house. In addition, there 
 is also a small brick building owned by individual members 
 of the society, which, at first, was used as the place of pub- 
 lic worship, but is now occupied by the church as a vestry. 
 The whole number who have been connected with this 
 church is 113. Number baptized, 17. 
 
270 CHESHIRE COTJf)TT. 
 
 There have been several seasons of unusual reKgious inter- 
 est in this community, but it cannot be said that there have 
 been more than two extensive revivals. The first occurred 
 in 1841, during the ministry of Rev. 0. C. Whiton, com- 
 mencing very soon after he began his labors in this place. — 
 Very few eodra meetings were held at the time ; the pastor 
 being of the opinion, that one meeting, well attended, and 
 of which some account could afterwards be given, was worth 
 more than a dozen of the opposite character. Of about 27 
 hopeful conversions, 15 were added to this church as the 
 fruits of the revival. The remainder of the converts, soon 
 leaving the place, connected themselves with other churches. 
 The other revival was in 1848 in connection with the minis- 
 terial labors of the Eev. Jeremiah Pomeroy. The first indi- 
 cation of the presence of the Holy Spirit was the deep 
 conviction of one of the impenitent, and her subsequent con- 
 version. The work of grace gradually deepened and extend- 
 ed widely. As the result of this revival, about 25 were 
 hopefully converted ; about one-half of whom united with 
 the church in this village ; the remainder, with churches in 
 other places. Several were heads of families, but most of 
 the converts were in the morning of life. It is an interest- 
 ing fact that of the whole number converted during the 
 revival, all hut one were connected with the Sabbath School 
 previous to the outpouring of the Spirit. This cannot but 
 be regarded as evidence that the Sabbath School is an insti- 
 tution on which rests the cordial approbation of the great 
 Head of the church. 
 
 HINSDALE.* 
 
 This town was originally a part of Northfield, Ms. It 
 was then called Fort Dummer, and also Bridgman's Fort. 
 It was settled as early as 1683. But it was not incorporat- 
 ed as a distinct town tiU Sept. 3, 1753 ; and it was named 
 in honor of Col. Ebenezer Hinsdale, one of its principal 
 inhabitants. 
 
 The Congregational church was formed in 1763 ; and the 
 same year the Rev. Bunker Gay, a graduate of Harvard 
 university in 1760, was ordained its pastor. He continued 
 in his pastorate about 47 years, till 1810, when he resigned 
 his work. He lived, however, till Oct. 1815. His influence 
 was not in aU respects salutary to the cause of truth. From 
 
 » Sketch by Z. S. Barstow, D.D. 
 
HINSDALE. 271 
 
 1810 to 1821 there was little preaching and no administra- 
 tion of Divine ordinances. But Oct. 8, 1821 a council was 
 called, "To take under consideration the concerns of the 
 Congregational church in Hinsdale." In the result of 
 council they say : "ascertained that the remnant of the for- 
 mer church has no records, neither articles, nor covenant." 
 But iinding four men and five women that were once con- 
 nected with the original church, they re-organized them into 
 a church, under a confession of faith and a covenant. But 
 for eleven years they had no pastor; hut "occasional sup- 
 plies." On the 17th of May 1832, the Kev. Eliphalet 
 Strong, a graduate of Harvard college in 1828, was ordained 
 their pastor. The church now numbered 14 members. His 
 ministry continued amidst many difficulties to March 25, 
 1835, when he was dismissed. He afterward went to Illinois. 
 
 Thirty five additions are reported in 1833, as the fruits of 
 a revival which appeared to result from the divine blessing 
 on a course of pastoral and lay visitation from house to 
 house. Scarcely had these visits been commenced, when 
 there were found those who were anxious about their salva- 
 tion. The work went forward favorably till February, when 
 a protracted meeting was held. At this meeting the halt- 
 ing were brought to a decision ; some of the careless and 
 opposed were awakened and hopefully converted. The 
 church rose from 15 to 50 ; from three male members to 15 ; 
 and eleven family altars were erected. 
 
 May 23, 1835 the church invited the Rev. Joseph Marsh 
 to become their pastor. But there is no record of his settle- 
 ment, nor of anything else tiU Nov. 17, 1837, when he ask- 
 ed a dismission ; which was effected May 2, 1838. He was 
 a graduate of Dartmouth college in 1824. It is believed 
 that he is now engaged in agriculture in Vermont. Forty 
 one were added to the church in his time. The Eev. Gard- 
 ner S. Brown, a graduate of Dartmouth college in 1834, 
 was ordained pastor, on the very day that Mr. Marsh was 
 dismissed, (viz : May 2, 1838.) He was dismissed April 2, 
 1844. Over tifty were added to the church during his 
 ministiy. He is now a Homeopathic physician in Hartford, 
 Conn. The Rev. Moses G-erould was installed pastor Oct. 
 30, 1844 — [vide account of East Alstead.] He was dis- 
 missed after a pastorate of about nine years, and removed 
 to Canaan in this State. He added 40 to the church. — 
 About 150 have been added to tliis church since its re- 
 organization ; of whom about 88 remain members. Popula- 
 tion in 1820, 890 ; in 1850, 1903. 
 
272 CHESHIRE COUNTT. 
 
 JAFFREY. 
 
 Rev. Laban Ainswobth.— Rev. L. Tenney. 
 
 The first town meeting was called in the name of His 
 Majesty the King of England, by Jonathan Stanley ; and 
 was convened Sept. 14, 1773. At an adjourned meeting 
 the 28th of the same month, a committee consisting of Capt. 
 Jonathan Stanley, Alexander McNeil, and James CallweU, 
 were appointed to provide preaching for the town. In just 
 fourteen days after the town had elected its first regular 
 town officers, it made provision for its rehgious instruction. 
 As they had, in this manner, preaching occasionally, they 
 experienced great inconvenience in the want of a suitable 
 place for holding religious meetings. To remedy this evil, 
 the town resolved, April 26,1774, "to build a Meeting- 
 house on the common near the center of the town, this and 
 the ensuing year." On the 6th of July following, it was 
 "resolved that the house shall be 60 feet by 45— posts 27 
 feet ; that there shall be a porch at each end of the house ; 
 and that the house shall be raised by the middle of June 
 1775, and be finished by the first of June 1776." It is 
 related that the town were raising the frame on the memo- 
 rable 17th of June 1775, and while they were erecting a 
 temple in winch they might worship the Prince of Peace, 
 they heard the report of the ordnance at the battle of Bun- 
 ker HiU, where their fellow citizens were shedding their 
 blood to purchase for their countrymen the blessings of lib- 
 erty, civil and religious. It is also an interesting fact that 
 the same season when this people were making preparation 
 to build a house of worship, he, who was to be their first 
 settled minister, was entering Dartmouth college to prepare 
 himself for the work to which he would be called. He who 
 disposed the people to erect a house of worship, was, at the 
 same time, leading a young man in a way which he knew 
 not. And in due time the way was open, and this young 
 man, then a licensed preacher, was conducted into the field 
 of his future labors. For various reasons, doubtless mainly 
 connected with the war of the Eevolution, the house was 
 not finished for many years ; and till after 1780, while the 
 war was raging at the north, tins town, like many others, 
 suifered a famine of the word of G-od — though it is evident 
 from the town records that an increasing amount was annu- 
 ally raised for the support of the gospel. From £ 6 they 
 rose in 1777 to £50 ; then to £ 100 ; then to 200, and in 
 time of depreciated currency in 1780 to £ 1000, and the 
 next year to £2000. 
 
y JAFFREY. 273 
 
 In a town meeting convened June 16, 1778, Wm. Smiley 
 and David Stanley were elected to read the Psalm, — like- 
 wise Jonathan Priest, Abram Bailey and David Stanley 
 were chosen to tune the Psalm. It is impossible at this day 
 to ascertain who all the men were who preached here during 
 the time preceding the year 1781, and how long each man 
 was employed. Every year, after the town was incorporated, 
 a committee was chosen to obtain the labors of the ministry 
 and to expend the money raised by the town for that pur- 
 pose. The following names appear on the town records, 
 without any specification as to the number of Sabbaths they 
 officiated : Kev. Jonathan Allen, June 1776 ; Mr. Bead, 
 Nov. 1778 ; Mr. Stevens, Nov. 1779 ; Caleb Jewett, June 
 1780 ; Mr. Emerson, Dec. 1780 ; David Goodale, Aug. 1781. 
 A call was extended and proposals made to Mr. Caleb Jew- 
 ett to settle as pastor. 
 
 The present senior pastor of this church came into town 
 as a candidate early in Sept. 1781 — 74 years ago. At a 
 town meeting Dec. 1781, it was "voted to hear Mr. Ainsworth 
 longer." At a town meeting convened April 22, 1782, 
 "voted to hear Mr. Ainsworth on probation, in order to give 
 him a call;" and on July 8, 1782, the town "voted unani- 
 mously to concur with the church, and give Mr. Laban 
 Ainsworth a call to the work of the gospel ministry in this 
 town." They pledged him "as a salary, annually, £70 as 
 long as he shall be the minister of this town." They also 
 proffered him "liberty to visit his friends twice each year, of 
 two Sabbaths each time, if he accepts the call that is given 
 him." These were the final conditions of the settlement. — 
 At a town meeting holden Nov. 11, 1782, it was decided, 
 " that the ordination of Mr. Ainsworth be the second Wed- 
 nesday in December next." This is the last record of the 
 town in relation to the settlement of a minister. A man 
 who had been with them more than a year was unanimously 
 elected pastor, and amply provided for by a salary and a 
 valuable tract of land. He was called by the church and 
 the unanimous vote of the pew holders of the town : and that 
 pastoral relation which was formed with so much delibera- 
 tion, continued, for the most part happy, for nearly half _ a 
 century, when he retired from the active work of the minis- 
 try — while he still retains to the church which so long enjoy- 
 ed his ministry, the endearing relation expressed in the 
 name— pastor. Though he has been the minister of this 
 church more than seventy four years he is stiU enjoying 
 comfortable health, retains much of his former dignity of 
 character and urbanity of manners ; is fond of reading and 
 
274 CHESHIBE COUNTY. 
 
 of society ; cherishes with the fondest affection the doctrines 
 and precepts which have been the subjects of hisministra- 
 tions ; and is calmly waiting for a message from his Master, 
 calling him to his reward. 
 
 The first Congregational church was organized May 13, 
 1780. And Mr. Ainsworth was ordained Dec. 10, 1782.— 
 After the aged pastor of the church retired from the work 
 of the ministry, several persons were obtained to supply the 
 pulpit. In the year 1830, Rev. Mr. Everett was engaged, 
 and labored with fidelity about one year. 
 
 On the 11th of Jan. 1832, Mr, Giles Lyman was ordained 
 junior pastor and colleague with Mr. Ainsworth, and was 
 dismissed May 3, 1837. On the 4th of Oct. 1837, Mr. Josiah 
 D. Crosby was ordained pastor of the church, and April 
 19, 1844, he also was dismissed. 
 
 April 19, 1845, Mr. Leonard Tenney— the present junior 
 pastor— received ordination. The whole number of church 
 members at the time of Mr. Lyman's settlement was 78, and 
 247 have been admitted since that time. Death, and remov- 
 als bv other means leave us now 145 members. Baptisms 
 have" been— adults, 71 ; children, 154. A Baptist church 
 was organized here, Jan. 3, 1814, of 12 members. _ The old 
 Meeting-house is now deserted by all denominations and 
 used only as a Town house. 
 
 JAFFREY EAST. 
 
 Rev. Geo. W. Adams. 
 
 Jaffrey East Orthodox Congregational church is situated 
 in a village two miles from the center of the town. It was 
 organized Jan. 9th, 1850, with ten male and thirteen female 
 members, principally from the church at the Center. The 
 reason for this organization was, that " the interests of the 
 Redeemer's kingdom require the organization." Fifty one 
 have been added to its number ; twenty two have been 
 dismissed to other churches or removed by death ; present 
 number of members 52. 
 
 Rev. J. E. B. Jewett was called to the pastorate of this 
 church Feb. 28, 1854, and was ordained and installed on the 
 25th of the following September. An ecclesiastical council 
 was convened, June 1st, 1852, to take into consideration 
 reasons wh;ch might be presented for and against a dissolution 
 of the existing pastoral relation. The council' having 
 weighed the reasons resoh'ed, "That it is not expedient that 
 
KEENE. 275 
 
 the pastoral relation now existing, should be at this time 
 dissolved." The church and society not beinw satisfied with 
 the result of the council, called another, which was convened 
 the 13th of July following, when the pastoral relation was 
 dissolved. 
 
 After Kev. Mr. Jewett was released from the pastorate, 
 the church was supplied by various individuals until March 
 27, 1853 ; at which time Rev. George W. Adams commenced 
 a tonporary supply till June 16th of the same year, when 
 the church and society engaged his sendees for one year ; and 
 has continued their acting pastor to the present date. No 
 record has been kept of the ammmt contributed to benevo- 
 lent objects previous to March 27, 1853. Since that time 
 about $250 have been contributed. Congregation averages 
 about 100. The Sabbath School is iiourishing, and has a 
 good Hbrary. Ministerial support $ 500. 
 
 KEENE. 
 
 Rev. Z. S. Baestow, D.D. 
 
 The first meeting of the proprietors, in the tmvnship of 
 the Upper Ashuelot, was holden on the 18th day of Septem- 
 ber l734 ; " Held on said township by adjournment from 
 the 27th day of June last past, i.e. when the meeting was 
 at Concord." The above meeting was adjourned again, 
 " To the last Wednesday of May next, at 12 of the clock at 
 the dwelling house of Ephraim Jones Innholder in Con- 
 cord." On the 30th of Sept. 1736, a "meeting was opened 
 according to appointment at the house-lot of Joseph Fisher ; 
 but was immediately adjourned to the house of Nathan 
 Blake." [vide Proprietors' Book.] It is supposed that the 
 house of Nathan Blake was the first house erected in the 
 township, and the only one at the time of that meeting ; and 
 yet, mark the piety of these proprietors ; for it was at this 
 meeting voted, " That they will build a Meeting-house at 
 the upper township on the Ashuelot so called ; forty feet 
 long ; 20 feet stud ; and 30 and 5 feet wide, at the south 
 end of the town street, (to underpinn, cover and inclose the 
 same, and lay down bords for the lower floor,) at the place 
 appointed by the General Court's committee ; and that 
 Messrs. Jeremiah HaU, Samuel Daniels, Joseph Eichardson, 
 Stephen Blake, and Josiah Fisher be a committee to build 
 or let the same ; and to see that s"^ work be completely 
 performed by the 26th day of June next." 
 
276 CHESHIKE COUNTY. 
 
 That Meeting-house was afterwards removed to the mid- 
 dle of the street, south east of where General^ Wilson's 
 house now stands, the travel passing on the east side of it. 
 In the early part of the summer of 1737, it was voted " To 
 assess the sum of 240 pounds on the propriety to support 
 the preaching of the gospel in said township, and other 
 charges arisen, or arising, in s'^ propriety." 
 
 It is not known at what time the Eev. Jacob Bacon, who 
 was the first minister of the place, came into the township, 
 or when he commenced preaching in it. But in October 
 1737, it was voted that " The worthy Mr. Jacob Bacon 
 draw lots for the whole propriety." This was at the second 
 division of meadow land. In the course of that year, Mr. 
 Bacon was appointed Proprietors' clerk. He received a call to 
 settle as their minister May 5th, 1738 ; gave an affirmative 
 answer Aug. 5th ; and was ordained to the work of the min- 
 istry Oct. 18th of the same year ; when a church of 19 male 
 members was organized. The council consisted of pastors 
 and delegates from the churches of Wrentham, Sunderland, 
 Northfield and Medway, viz : Kev. Messrs. Band, DooKttle, 
 and Buckman, with the delegates from each church. The 
 committee who presented the call to Mr. Bacon, were Jere- 
 miah Hall, David Foster, Isaac Clark, Josiah Fisher and 
 Ebenezer Nims. David Foster and Josiah Fisher were ap- 
 23ointed deacons soon after the organization of the church. — ■ 
 Deacon Fisher was shot by an Indian July 10th, 1745. 
 
 The Kev. Mr. Bacon was a graduate of Harvard in 1731. 
 He was much beloved by his church and people. In the 
 language of the proprietors he was " the worthy and Rev. Mr. 
 Bacon." Some persons were added to the church under his 
 ministry ; but no church record of the time has come down 
 to us. Mr. Bacon was excused from all obligations to his 
 church and people by an informal vote of the proprietors, 
 just before they abandoned the town, when it was burned by 
 the Indians, 1747. 
 
 The first meeting of the town under the new charter, was 
 in May 1753 ; and at that meeting it was agreed to build a 
 Meeting-house of slabs, on a green plat, near where the late 
 Aaron Appleton lived. This was for temporary use. And 
 in December of the same year, it was voted to build a Meet- 
 ing-house forty five feet long, and thirty five feet wide. It 
 was first resolved to place it near where the late Aaron HaU 
 lived. But it was ultimately erected on the Common a httle 
 north of where the Hay Scales are. That house was used tiU 
 the autumn of 1786, when it was taken down and removed 
 to the west side of the Common, and set up as the Court 
 
KEENE. 277 
 
 House of ChesMre county. And when the new Court House 
 was erected the old one was removed to Washington street ; 
 where it was the residence of several families, and known 
 familiar!}' as " the old Court House." It was afterward divided 
 into two dwelling-houses ; in one of which John H. Fuller, 
 Esq. now resides ; and the other one was removed to another 
 place in the vicinity. 
 
 In June 1753, the inhabitants of Keene and Swanzey 
 united in gi^'ing the Eev. Ezra Carpenter a call to settle in 
 the work of the ministry. He was born in Rehoboth, Ms. 
 April 1, 1699 ; graduated at Cambridge in 1720 ; and set- 
 tled in Hull in the old colony, Nov. 27, 1723. Nov. 28, 
 1723, he married Elizabeth, daughter of the Rev. Thomas 
 Greenwood of Rehoboth. He was minister of Hull twenty 
 one years, and was dismissed Nov. 23, 1746. He was min- 
 ister of the united church in Keene and Swanzey about 
 seven years. Swanzey retained him, and Keene sought 
 another minister. Under Mr. Carpenter there were 52 bap- 
 tisms in Keene and several were added to the church ; but 
 the record is lost. The above record of baptisms was 
 made by the Rev. Edward G-oddard, " from the old book." 
 The Rev. Mr. Carpenter was of reputable character and of 
 orthodox sentiments. He was installed Oct. 4th, 1753 ; at 
 which time there were present by their elders, &c. the first 
 church in Hingham, the third in Plymouth, the church in 
 Kingston in the county of Plymouth, the first church in 
 Lancaster, the church in Nichewong, the church in Poquaig, 
 (Athol,) the church in Deerfield, the church in Sunderland, 
 and the church in Northfield. 
 
 At the separation of Keene from Swanzey, the church in 
 Keene was re-organized, containing fourteen male members, 
 at the ordination of the Rev. Clement Sumner as their pas- 
 tor, June 11th, 1761. Mr. Sumner was a graduate of Yale 
 college in 1758. And though he was a man free from great 
 faults, yet his virtues were of a rather negative kind. It was 
 in his ministry, if not at his instigation, that the half way 
 covenant was introduced, by which those owning the cove- 
 nant had their children baptized without coming into com- 
 munion with the church. During his ministry 73 were 
 admitted to the church and 20 persons owned the covenant 
 and had their children baptized. Of those 20, eleven were 
 afterward admitted to full communion, [vide Chh. Records.] 
 
 Mr. Sumner was pastor for about eleven years, when, in 
 consequence of difficulties that arose, (as was once said by 
 an aged member,) "from the misconduct of his children," 
 he was dismissed at his own request by an ecclesiastical 
 
278 CHESHIRE COUNTY. 
 
 council. He was never settled again, but he preaclied at 
 Thetf(5rd, Vt. and other places ; and died in Keene, March 
 29, 179.5, and was buried in the old cemetery near Mr. Kob- 
 inson's dwelling. His widow died in West Swanzey, where 
 her funeral was attended in the Baptist Meeting-house by 
 Kev. Z. S. Barstow in the early part of his ministry. 
 
 The Kev. Mr. Sumner left no record of baptisms. The 
 covenant of the church was then very nearly the same as at 
 present. The Articles of Faith were thirteen ; and they 
 were in part in the language of the Westminster Assembly's 
 compend of doctrine. 
 
 After Mr. Sumner's dismission, there was a long season of 
 di\'ision in regard to the settlement of a minister. The aged 
 Deacon Kingsbury once informed the writer that" 19 can- 
 didates were tried in vain." And that then, having heard 
 of Mr. Aaron Hall of Cheshire, Conn., this Deacon was com- 
 missioned " to go and confer with him personally," in refer- 
 ence to his coming to Keene as a candidate. This commis- 
 sion was successfully executed, and Mr. Hall came in the 
 summer of 1777. On Dec. 2, 1777, it was voted unani- 
 mously, " To give Mr. Aaron Hall (who has been laboring 
 with us for some time) a call to settle in the work of the 
 ministry." But there were objections in the mind of Mr. 
 Hall to the practices of the church. He told them in open 
 church meeting, " That he could not see his way clear to 
 answer their call, unless the church would reject the practice 
 of persons owning the covenant, to have their children bap- 
 tized." And, after various discussions of the subject, it was 
 voted unanimously, " To re-consider the vote of baptizing 
 the children of those who only owned the covenant ; and for 
 the future not to admit any upon tliis half ivay practice as 
 it is called." 
 
 The difficulty being thus removed, the Kev. Aaron HaU 
 was ordained Feb. 18, 1778. "Kev. Mr. Hibbard opened the 
 solemnity by prayer ; Rev. Mr. Olcott preached the sermon ; 
 Kev. Mr. Brigham made the ordaining prayer ; Rev. Mr. 
 Fessenden gave the charge ; Rev. Mr. Goddard gave the 
 right hand of fellowship ; and the Kev. Mr. Sprague closed 
 the solemnity by prayer. Attest, Bulkley Olcott, scribe." — 
 Mr. Hall was a graduate of Yale college in 1772 ; received 
 his Master's degree at Yale 1775, and at Dartmouth 1778. 
 He had a long and peaceful ministry, was much esteemed as 
 a peacemaker, and died lamented, in the 63d year of his age, 
 and the thirty seventh of his ministry, Aug. 12th, 1814. 
 
 At Mr. Hall's ordination the church consisted of 77 mem- 
 bers ; and during his ministry 211 were received to the 
 
KEENE. 279 
 
 church ; 871 were baptized. It was during his ministry that 
 the present Meeting-house was built. It was raised June 
 28, 29 and 30th, 1786. The building committee were, Lieut. 
 Benjamin Hall, Dea. Daniel Kingsbury, Major Davis Hew- 
 lett, Mr. Benjamin Anher, Lieut. Reuben Partridge, Mr. 
 Abijah AVilder, and Mr. Thomas Baker. 
 
 After the death of Mr. Hall, the Rev. David Oliphant (a 
 graduate of Union college in 1809, and of the theological 
 seminary at Andover in 1814,) came to preach as a candi- 
 date "about the time of the annual Thanksgiving" in 1814. 
 He was ordained May 24, 1815. Rev. Mr. Dickinson of 
 Walpole offered the first prayer ; Rev. Mr. Hall of New 
 Ipswich preached the sermon ; Rev. Mr. Pratt of AVestmore- 
 land oiiered the ordaining prayer ; Rev. Mr. Ainsworth of 
 Jaifrey gave the charge ; Rev. Mr. Burge of West Brattle- 
 borough, Vt., expressed the fellowship ; and Rev. Mr. 
 Edwards of Andover, Ms., offered the closing prayer. Mr. 
 Oliphant's ministry was somewhat less than three years. — 
 But he made a deep impression upon the people ; received 
 91 to the church ; and baptized 129 persona ; and he will 
 probably find many among this people as the crown of his 
 rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus. He was dismissed 
 in the autumn of 1817. It was during his ministry, viz. in 
 1815, that our Baptist brethren organized their church in 
 the west part of the town, consisting of 14 members. This 
 church was afterward removed to the village. 
 
 The present pastor. Rev. Z. S. Barstow, D.D., who was a 
 graduate of Yale college in 1813 ; and who received his Mas- 
 ter's degree in course in 1816, and at Hamilton college in 
 1817, came hither Feb. 26, 1818, and was ordained July 1st 
 of the same year. The Rev. Mr. Cooke of Acworth offered 
 the first prayer ; the Rev. Dr. Woodbridge of Hadley, Ms., 
 preached the sermon ; Rev. Mr. Fish of Marlborough offered 
 the ordaining prayer ; Rev. Mr. Wood of Chesterfield gave the 
 charge ; Rev. Mr. Crosby of Charlestown expressed the fel- 
 lowship ; Rev. Dr. Thayer of Lancaster addressed the peo- 
 ple ; and Rev. Mr. Dickinson of Walpole offered the conclu- 
 ding prayer. Of the present pastor little will here be said ; 
 except that he has had a comparatively quiet ministry ; has 
 received 531 to the church ; dismissed 221 to other churches ; 
 has married 379 couples ; baptized 704 persons ; and attend- 
 ed more than a thousand to their last resting place. He 
 has not failed of preaching on account of sickness but four 
 Sabbaths in thirty six and a half years. 
 
 During this ministry the Unitarian society was formed in 
 the spring of 1824 ; and the church in connection was form- 
 
280 CHESHIRE COUNTY. 
 
 ed Dec. 27, 1825, consisting of 13 members ; of whom seven 
 had been members of other churches. The Rev. T. E. Sul- 
 livan, Eev. A. A. Livermore, and Rev. W. 0. White, have 
 been its successive jmstors. 
 
 Our Methodist brethren organized their church November 
 1835, consisting of 30 members. 
 
 MARLBOROUGH. 
 
 Eev. Giles Lyman. 
 
 The town was first called Monadnock, No. 5 ; afterwards 
 New Marlborough from Marlborough, Ms., the original home 
 of many of the first settlers ; and when it received a town 
 charter, in 1776, the qualifying word "New" was dropped, 
 leaving the name which it now bears. A grant of this township 
 was made in 1751 or '52, with conditions requiring that the 
 settlement be commenced immediately. On account of the 
 Indian and French war, the conditions of the grant were not 
 complied with. The town was surveyed 1762 ; and re- 
 chartered in 1764. The grant specifies that " a convenient 
 Meeting-house " shall be built within 10 years from its date. 
 The first meeting of the proprietors in the town, of which 
 there is any record, was in 1776 ; at which the question of 
 building a Meeting-house was acted on ; but the vote to 
 build was not passed till four years after. The building was 
 soon carried so far that the house was used for worship, but 
 many years passed before it was completed. Money to hire 
 preaching was first raised by the town in 1771, and a com- 
 mittee to hire a minister on probation was first appointed 
 in 1774. The church was organized Nov. 11, 1778, consist- 
 ing of eight members ; and Mr. Joseph Cummings, from 
 Topsfield, Ms., was ordained pastor at the same time. Ten 
 were received to the church the first year of his ministry. — 
 Twenty six children had been baptized at the close of his 
 pastorate, but most of these baptisms belong to the period 
 which preceded his settlement, and the organization of the 
 church. Mr. Cummings was dismissed Dec. 26, 1780, on the 
 ground of "unfaithfulness," of "being unexemplary in walk, 
 imj)rudent in conversation, unchristian in comparing, rash 
 in judging, and slandering," and of "profanity." 
 
 " The difliculties which subsisted between this church and 
 people did not end at his dismission, but remained a long 
 time after." The church was without a pastor nearly thir- 
 teen years, during which period there was preaching only a 
 
MARLBOROUGH. 281 
 
 part of tlie time, several diiferent persons being employed as 
 candidates for settlement, or without any view to this. Ten 
 were at different times admitted to the cliurch, and a few 
 were dismissed "to other churches. There were 64 baptisms, 
 the number being swelled by the adoption of the half way 
 covenant, in 1783. 
 
 In 1791 the church "set apart a day for solemn humilia- 
 tion, fasting and prayer, unitedly to seek direction and a 
 blessing on their endeavors for a re-settlement of the gospel 
 and its ordinances in this place." And Sept. 25, 1793, Mr. 
 HaUoway Fish was ordained pastor with a salary of £ 70 
 yearly, and £ 170 settlement, Mr. Fish was from Upton, 
 Ms., and a graduate of Harvard college. He was serious 
 and devout in his spirit, exemplaiy in his life, thoroughly 
 orthodox in Ms opinions, and faithful as a minister of Christ. 
 He was a man of sound judgment, but not distinguished for 
 popular pulpit talents. "The half way covenant" was set 
 aside very soon after his settlement. There were during his 
 ministry two revivals of religion. The first was in the years 
 1813 and '14, being a gradual work. As the fruits, nearly 
 thirty were added to the church — Rev. Cyrus Stone for 
 many years a missionary in India, now one of the editors of 
 the Mother's Assistant, pubhshed at Boston, and Miss Cyn- 
 thia Farrar who is still connected as teacher with the 
 Ahmednuggur station, being of the number. The other 
 revival was in 1822. This was more rapid in its progress, 
 and connected with an addition of 38 to the church. Among 
 those uniting at this time was Eev. Luther WiswaU, for 
 many years settled in the ministry in Brooks, Me., now the 
 worthy pastor of the church in Windham in that State. — 
 Mr. Fish died Sept. 1, 1824, having been pastor almost 
 thirty one years. There were received, to the church during 
 this period 174 persons — 130 by profession, and 44 by letter. 
 Tiu-ee hundred and three children were baptized. 
 
 Eev. Salmon Bennett was installed pastor here Sept. 27, 
 1825, with a salary of $ 300. Mr. Bennett had been before 
 settled in the ministry in Winchester. Eighteen united 
 with the church by profession and seven by letter — in all 25 — 
 during his pastorate. Nine united at one time in 1828, in 
 connection with a season of special interest. There were 40 
 baptisms of children. Mr. Bennett was dismissed April 5, 
 1831, having been connected with the church as pastor five 
 and a half years, — aUedged ground of dismission, the inabil- 
 ity of the church and society "to make up his salary for a 
 whole year." During one year of the time intervening 
 before the settlement of another pastor, Rev. Erastus Curtis 
 19 
 
282 CHESHIRE COUNTY. 
 
 labored as a supply, and seven were received to the church — 
 five by profession, and two by letter. 
 
 Rev. Moses G. Grosvenor was installed pastor May 20, 
 1835, with a salary of $400. Mr. G-rosvenor is a graduate 
 of Dartmouth college, and of Andover theological seminary. 
 He had before labored as settled pastor in Acworth, N. H., 
 and Barre, Ms. The society, having been denied by the 
 town the use of the Meeting-house a part of the time, had, 
 the year pre^aous to Mr. Grosvenor's settlement, built a 
 house at the village, which was dedicated Oct. 29, 1834, 
 about the time when Mr. Grosvenor commenced his labors 
 with them. There was a season of special interest in 1837, 
 — 12 uniting with the church in connection with it. Among 
 these was Rev. Wm. C. Whitcomb, who has for some years 
 been the very acceptable pastor of the church in Stoneham, 
 Ms. Thirty two united with the church during Mr. Gros- 
 venor's ministry — 24 by profession, and eight by letter. — 
 There were 21 baptisms. Difficulties, growing out of a case 
 of discipline which came before the church the year following 
 his installation, led to liis dismission, Dec. 2, 1840. 
 
 Rev. Giles Lyman commenced his labors with this church 
 in Dec. 1840. He was from Shelburne, Ms., is a graduate 
 of Amherst college, and of Andover theological seminary, 
 and had before been settled in the ministiy in Jaffrey. He 
 has not been installed — impaired health and the state of the 
 society have rendered this inexpedient. At the commence- 
 ment of his labors, the congregation was small, and the 
 church divided and discouraged. A revival of religion, in 
 which the Methodist and Baptist societies participated in 
 common with the Congregational, occurred in 1842, the 
 effects of which were very happy in restoring union, and 
 inspiring confidence in the church. In connection with this 
 revival, 27, mostly youth, and these with few exceptions 
 children of the church, united with the church. A season 
 of special interest was enjoyed in 1852, 12 uniting with the 
 church in connection with it. A gradual increase of the 
 congregation seemed to render expedient an enlargement of 
 the Meeting-house ; which was carried into effect in 1850.— 
 Seventy two have been added to the church in the fifteen 
 years of Mr. Lyman's connection with it — 49 by profession, 
 and 22 by letter. Seventeen children have been baptized. 
 The present number of the church, reckoning absentees, of 
 whom there is a considerable number, is 97. There is a 
 Methodist society, formed about the year 1800, made up 
 partly from this town, and partly from DubHn, Nelson and 
 Roxbury, their house of worship being near the Dublin fine. 
 
NELSON. 283 
 
 The number of members in full communion is 75. There is 
 also a Baptist society, which was organized in 1837. Pres- 
 ent number in the church, 30. 
 
 MARLOW*- 
 
 Was chartered, Oct. 7, 1761, to William Noyes and sixty 
 nine others who resided principally in Lyme, Conn. The 
 first town meeting was in march 1766. The people were 
 generally Baptists. But after a series of years a Meeting- 
 house for Congregationalists was built, and occasional preach- 
 ing was enjoyed, and a church of nine members was formed 
 in 1823. But, after a time, this feeble church became 
 extinct, by the members uniting with the church in New 
 Alstead. Other churches have since been formed in South 
 Mario w. 
 
 NELSON. 
 
 Rev. W. P. Gale. 
 
 This place was settled in 1767. Packersfield was its for- 
 mer name, from Thomas Packer, who owned about half of it. 
 Its present name was given in June 1819. Population in 
 1810 was 1076 ; in 1850, 781. 
 
 The Congregational church was formed Jan. 31, 1781, at 
 which time Rev. Jacob Foster, a member of the church, was 
 installed pastor. He was a graduate of Harvard in 1754, 
 and had been before settled in the ministry. He was dis- 
 missed Nov. 23, 1791. He is said to have been in sentiment 
 a moderate Calvinist, and a man of good natural and ac- 
 quired abihties, and to have sustained honorably his ministe- 
 rial office. During his ministry twenty seven were added to 
 the church. After a few years absence he returned, and died 
 here Dec. 3, 1798, aged 66. 
 
 Mr. Foster was succeeded in his labors early in the spring 
 of 1793 by Pi,ev. Gad Newell. Mr. Newell was born in South- 
 ington, Ct., Sept. 10, 1763. ^ He graduated at New Haven 
 in 1786, and studied theology in Berlin, Ct., with John Smal- 
 ley, D.D. He was ordained as pastor of this church June 
 11, 1794, and was dismissed Sept. 3, 1841. 
 
 During his active ministry, comprising a period of 42 
 
 •Sketch by Z. S. Barstow, D.D. 
 
284 CHESHIRE COUNTY. 
 
 yeara, there were added to the church two hundred and nine- 
 ty four — fifty by letter, two hundred and thirty five by pro- 
 fession. There were one hundred and thirty eight baptisms, 
 fifty adults and eighty eight infants. He also joined three 
 hundred couple in marriage, and attended most of the fune- 
 rals that occurred in town, there being five hundred and 
 twenty two deaths during this period. 
 
 Mr. Newell has ever been esteemed by his ministerial 
 brethren and the church as orthodox in sentiment, full of 
 faith and good works. He still lives, and exerts an influence 
 for good among this people. The wife of Mr. Newell died 
 Sept. 12, 1840. His only daughter is the wife of Eev. John 
 Emerson, missionary at the Sandwich Islands. His only 
 surviving son is one of the deacons of this church, and is the 
 joy and solace of his father in his declining days. 
 
 Rev. Josiah Ballard was installed as colleague with Mr. 
 Newell, July 12, 1836, and was dismissed by a council con- 
 vened May 5, 1840. During his ministry there were added 
 to the church 60 — 42 by profession, 18 by letter. 
 
 Mr. Daniel French was installed Nov. 3, 1841, and was 
 dismissed Sept. 3, 1851. During his ministry 88 were added 
 to the church — 69 by profession, 19 by letter. There were 
 35 baptisms — 14 adults, 21 children. Since the dismissal 
 of Mr. French the church in Nelson has been without a set- 
 tled minister, but have had a stated supply most of the time. 
 Seven have been added to the church during this time, one 
 by profession, six by letter. There have been five infant 
 baptisms. In all there have been connected with the church 
 four hundred and ninety four members. It has sent out two 
 colonies ; one to constitute a church in Roxbury, and another 
 in HarrisviUe. The present number of the church is ninety 
 four. They have a new and commodious house of worship, 
 erected in 1841. The average number of the congregation 
 on the Sabbath is 150. Rev. W. P. Gale now preaches here. 
 
 RICHMOND.* 
 
 This town was settled by people from Massachusetts and 
 Rhode Island. It was first granted Feb. 28, 1752, to 
 Joseph Blanchard and others. It has never had a Congre- 
 gational church. There have been two Baptist churches, 
 and a Society of Friends, which in 1820 was large. 
 
 * Sketch by Z. S. Barslow, n.D. 
 
BINDGK. 285 
 
 RINDGE. 
 
 Rev. A. W. BUHNHAM. 
 
 The first settlement was made in this town in 1752 ; and 
 as early as 1760, as appears from the records, measures were 
 taken to secure preaching. The church was organized, it is 
 believed, near the time of the ordination of the first pastor, 
 Nov. 1765. The original confession of faith, or covenant, 
 has not been found, but the church was evangelical in its 
 profession, though its practice in regard to household bap- 
 tism, during the ministry of the first pastor, was on the plan 
 of "the half way covenant," a period of fifteen years. Soon 
 after the settlement of the second pastor this practice was 
 abohshed, and in process of time new articles of faith and 
 form of covenant were adopted, and are still retained by the 
 church, unaltered. This form of creed and covenant, it is 
 understood, was proposed by a committee of the Monadnock 
 Association, of which Rev. Dr. Payson was the chairman, 
 and was at the time adopted, and probably is still used, by 
 nearly all the churches in the Association. This church is 
 thoroughly Calvinistic, receiving, as substantially according 
 to the Bible, the doctrines maintained by Edwards, Dwight, 
 Griflin, Woods, and other lights of the New England 
 churches. This church has remained steadfast, asking, not 
 for some new scheme of doctrine or practice, but, for the 
 "old paths" — marked out by the word of God and trod by 
 the Pilgrim Fathers — "has walked therein and found rest." 
 Amidst all the changes and revolutions that have occurred 
 in the ministry and churches of New England, and which 
 have divided and laid waste so many portions of our Zion, 
 this church has been preserved in peace. It has never been 
 occupied in obtaining and dismissing pastors, calling coun- 
 cils, altering creeds and forms, and seeking and adopting 
 novelties in doctrine or practice. From the disastrous effects 
 of such a course, this church has been mercifully exempted. 
 No schism has ever occurred. Only four times during the 
 eighty nine years of its existence has an ecclesiastical coun- 
 cil been called by this church, and in these instances, for the 
 purpose of settling three pastors, and dismissing one of the 
 three. And whenever the demand for ministerial labor has 
 been beyond the pastor's ability to meet, the ministers of 
 churches in the immediate vicinity, in whose experience and 
 discretion confidence could be placed, have at the request of 
 the pastor himself, kindly "come over and helped." 
 , Under the ministry of the first and second pastors it is 
 
286 CHESHIRE COUNTY. 
 
 not known that any general revival of religion was enjoyed ; 
 though, during the long and faithful ministry of Kev. Dr. 
 Payson, the church was greatly built up, enlightened, estab- 
 lished in sound doctrine and good practices, and many, as 
 will be seen in the sequel, were added, and nourished up for 
 the kingdom of heaven. Since the settlement of the present 
 pastor, ten seasons of special attention to spiritual things 
 have been enjoyed ; the two most remarkable were in 1822 
 and '42, those most Mmited in extent and fruits were in 
 1847, '48, '50 and '52. 
 
 From the votes on record it is rendered very probable that 
 preaching was enjoyed, occasionally, at least, previous to the 
 ordination of a pastor. In 1763 the town "unanimously 
 voted to give Mr. Timothy Walker, jr., a call to settle with 
 them in the gospel ministry amongst them in said township, 
 if he seeth fit." There is no record of his reply, but the 
 fact is, he did not "see fit" to accept the invitation. Mr. 
 Walker is believed to be the gentleman afterwards known 
 as the Hon. Timothy Walker of Concord, a son of the first 
 minister of that town, and for many years a judge of the 
 Court, and a leading man in civil affairs. 
 
 In Nov. 6, 1765, Eev. Seth Dean from KiUingly, Conn., 
 was ordained the first pastor, and was dismissed in Sept. 
 1780, at his own request ; but why he made this request is 
 not now known. So far as can be ascertained, Mr. Dean 
 was sound in the faith, but facetious, and somewhat eccen- 
 tric. 
 
 Eev. Seth Payson, D.D., became pastor of this church by 
 ordination, Dec. 4, 1782. He was a native of Walpole, Ms., 
 a son of the minister of that place, having two brothers, and 
 in process of time, two sons, who were ministers. He was 
 graduated at Harvard university ; entered the ministry at 
 an earlier age than was common at that time ; possessed a 
 clear, discriminating mind ; had deep experience in spiritual 
 things, and, while he prosecuted the work of the ministry 
 with great ability and faithfulness, and secured in a degree, 
 unusual, even at that day, the confidence and veneration of 
 the "flock over which the Holy Ghost had made him over- 
 seer," he became one of the leading ministers of his denomi- 
 nation in the State, in all ecclesiastical and benevolent con- 
 cerns. After a life of great usefulness, he died Feb. 26, 
 1820, aged 62, having just entered the thirty eighth year of 
 his ministry. 
 
 The present pastor, a native of Dunbarton, son of Dea. 
 Samuel Burnham of that place, and brother of the late Eev. 
 Dr. Burnham of Pembroke, graduated at Dartmouth college 
 
RINDGE. 287 
 
 1815, pursued the prescribed course of study in the theologi- 
 cal seminary, Andover, Ms., left that institution in the class 
 of 1818, and after being employed in the Home Missionary 
 service, and iirst Principal of Pembroke Academy, was 
 ordained the immediate successor of Rev. Dr. Payson, pas- 
 tor of this church Nov. 14, 1821, — and "having obtained 
 help of God, continues to this day." 
 
 In reviewing the facts above stated it will be seen that 
 the church has been in existence eighty nine years, has had 
 only three pastors ; the ministry of the first was closed at 
 the end of fifteen years, by dismission at his own request ; 
 that of the second, of thirty seven years continuance, ceased 
 at the death of the pastor ; while the third, at the end of 
 thirty three years, is still living and able to perform the 
 duties of the pastoral office. Thus, in eighty nine years this 
 church has enjoyed eighty five and a half years pastoral 
 labor — seventy of them by two ministers — and has been des- 
 titute of a pastor only three and a half years ; and it may 
 be added, has for the last twenty five years been destitute 
 of preaching not more, probably, than six Sabbaths. 
 
 The first and second pastors were settled and supported 
 by the town. The salary of Eev. Mr. Dean, the first pastor, 
 is not ascertained with accuracy. Dr. Payson received two 
 hundred pounds settlement, as it was called, and eighty 
 pounds salary. This was at length increased, till near the 
 close it was five hundred dollars. About the close of Dr. 
 Payson's ministry a society was formed for the support of 
 the pubhc worship of God, — the first, so far as is known, 
 which was organized in the State, under what was called the 
 "Toleration Act" of the New Hampshire Legislature in 
 1819. By this society, known by the title of "The First 
 Congregational Church and Society in Rindge," the present 
 pastor was settled, and is supported. His salary was at the 
 first, and so remains unaltered, $400, with the use of the 
 parsonage house and land, valued probably at the time of 
 his ordination at f 100 per annum. It is doubtless the 
 intention of the society that the pastor shall receive $500 
 a year. A fact should here be recorded to the praise of this 
 society, and for an example to others : The salary, which is 
 raised by a tax on the members, just as the tax in the town 
 is assessed, has been paid to the pastor in one sum on the 
 ve7-y day specified in the contract, for thirty two years, with 
 the exception of the years when the day of payment fell on 
 the Sabbath ; then, the money has been paid on the preced- 
 ing day. The pastor has had nothing to do in the matter 
 but to receive the amount at the hand of the treasurer and 
 
288 CHESHIRE COUNTY. 
 
 sign a receipt already prepared ; and this habit of the people 
 has produced such confidence that the pastor has felt for these 
 thirty years about as sure his salary would come in on the 
 appointed day, as that the sun would rise on that day. Can 
 another instance of this land be found in the parishes of 
 New England ? 
 
 From an examination made several years since, the opin- 
 ion is entertained by the present pastor, that a larger pro- 
 portion of this people is to be reckoned attendants on public 
 worship, than in most of the towns of the State. The whole 
 population is from 1200 to 1.300. There is a Methodist 
 Episcopal society in the place. In the Congregational 
 church, the attendance ranges from 150 to 400 — average, 
 275 — according to the weather and traveling. At the Meth- 
 odist chapel the attendance is from 50 to 150, — average, 90. 
 It is believed that two-thirds, if not three-fourths, of those 
 in a condition to attend, are justly to be regarded as church 
 going persons. In estimating the number, or proportion, 
 who attend pubhc worship, it is beheved to be as correct a 
 method as any that has been adojDted, to include all the 
 families whose habit is to attend, and then the mmiber of 
 individuals in those families, who generally are present at 
 worship. In this way the proportion of the whole popula- 
 tion, and the average attendance, can be very nearly ascer- 
 tained. Or, deduct from the population those famihes, 
 whose habit is to neglect pubHc worship. This is believed 
 to be a more correct and equitable mode than counting the 
 congregation on particular Sabbaths. The prevailing senti- 
 ment and practice among this people is in favor of "keep- 
 ing the Sabbath, reverencing the sanctuary," rendering due 
 respect to the ministry, and sustaining and attending the 
 public worship of God. The tendencies and habits of this 
 people are decidedly conservative , but they are as ready to 
 embark, and, according to their ability are as liberal, in eve- 
 ry department of Christian benevolence, as any other con- 
 gregation in the State. The average yearly amount of 
 monies contributed in the First Congregational Church and 
 Society cannot well be ascertained, — probably, not far from 
 $400. The following statements will show the additions to 
 the church, baptisms, &c.: During the ministry of Mr. 
 Dean from 1765 to 1780 were added chiefly, it is supposed, 
 by letter, 85. In the interval between his dismission and 
 the ordination of his successor, 2. In Dr. Payson's ministry 
 from 1782 to 1820, 229— making the whole number added 
 in the ministry of both, 316. During the present ministry 
 from 1821 to 1854, have been added by profession, 446 ; by 
 
STODDAED. 289 
 
 t» 
 
 letter, 83 ; total, 529. Whole number from the beginning, 
 845. Present number, 255. Whole munber of baptisms, 
 1327. Deaths in the town since the present ministry com- 
 menced, 675 — of church members, 140. The present pastor 
 has probably attended in the town 600 funerals, and solem- 
 nized 241 marriages. Eight men have entered the Congre- 
 gational ministry, and three the Baptist ministry, from this 
 town. 
 
 KOXBURY.* 
 
 This town was originally part of Nelson, Marlborough, and 
 Keene. It was incorporated in 1812 by the Legislature. 
 The Congregational church was formed Aug. 15, 1816. And 
 the Rev. Christopher Paige, a graduate of Dartmouth in 
 1784, and who had been before settled, was installed pastor 
 Nov. 21, 1816. But, as difficulties arose, he was dismissed 
 March 2, 1819. From that time to 1837 the church was 
 without a pastor ; but for the most part it had the means of 
 grace. The Rev. Alanson Rawson, who had tirst labored 
 there as an evangelist, was installed pastor in May 1837. 
 As his family was increasing and he could not live on his 
 salary, he took a dismission May 3, 1842. He afterwards 
 labored successfully in Southborough, Ms., and in New Bos- 
 ton, N. H., but is now disabled. 
 
 Jan. 1, 1843, the Rev. Ezra Adams commenced his labors 
 among them, and continued about six years, tiU he had a call 
 to settle as pastor of the church in Gilsum. The Rev. Beza- 
 leel Smith, a graduate of Dartmouth in 1825, and who had 
 been settled in Mont Vernon, commenced his labors at 
 Roxbury when Mr. Adams left. He continued till he was 
 invited to settle at New Alstead in 1852. Since that time 
 the Rev. S. H. Tolman, a graduate of Brown university in 
 1811, and who has been settled in various places, labored 
 with them a year. More recently they have had little 
 preaching. The whole number that ever belonged to that 
 church is 107. The present number is but 40. Population 
 in 1820, 366 ; in 1850, 260. 
 
 ' STODDARD.* 
 
 Rev. J. S. Gay. 
 
 This town was formerly caUed "Limerick." But at its 
 incorporation Nov. 4, 1774, it was named from Col. Samson 
 
 * Sketch by Z. S. Barstow, D.D. 
 
290 CHESHIRE COUNTY. 
 
 Stoddard, of Chesterfield, to whom with others it had been 
 granted. It began to be settled in 1769. The Congrega- 
 tional church was formed by a council composed of delegates 
 from Keene, DubUn, and Jaffrey, Sept. 4, 1787, consisting 
 of seven members. In September 1791 this church gave Mr. 
 Solomon Adams a call to settle as pastor, but he was not 
 settled. Oct. 15, 1793, the Eev. Abishai Colton, a graduate 
 of Yale in 1783, was ordained pastor. But he was dismissed 
 October 1795. He died in Vermont, Jan. 12, 1823. 
 
 The Eev. Isaac Kobinson, D.D., was their next pastor, 
 who was ordained Jan. 5, 1803. He had not the privilege 
 of a collegiate education. But he received an honorary Mas- 
 ter's degree from Dartmouth in 1838, and that of Doctor of 
 Divinity in 1847. He was very able, learned, and faithful. 
 He had few superior to him in the Hebrew and Greek of the 
 Scriptures. He died in July 1854, in the fifty second year 
 of Ms ministry, the very next Sabbath after he had preached 
 a farewell sermon to liis church and people and administered 
 the communion. Rev. Joshua S. Gray now labors here. The 
 church is 45 in number. Population in 1820, 1203 ; in 1850, 
 1105. 
 
 SULLIVAN. 
 
 Rev. T. S. NoRTon. 
 
 The town of Sullivan was formed from the towns of Nel- 
 son, (formerly Packersfield,) Stoddard, Grilsum and Keene. 
 It was incorporated Sept. 27th, 1787. It took its name 
 from Grov. John Sullivan who presented the town a book in 
 which to keep the records. The early settlers were enter- 
 prising, moral, and some of them Christian people ; but, 
 being few and feeble, little was done for the first few years 
 to establish the gospel. In 1790 the town voted to raise £ 5, 
 for preaching. Their acts of holy worship were performed 
 in a barn until 1791, when a small house was erected upon 
 a hill and " the people went up to worship" there. This 
 year £ 6, and the next £ 15 were raised for preaching. The 
 church was also organized this year on the 17th of October, 
 consisting of 22 members. The last of these members died 
 the past year. In 1795 the town took measures in regard 
 to the settlement of a minister ; but at another meeting the 
 same year the subject was postponed. They increased the 
 sum raised for preaching from year to year. In 1797 £ 40 
 were voted, and Rev. William Muzzy was hired for six Sab- 
 baths on probation. The town gave him a call to settle, 
 
SULLIVAN, 291 
 
 which was accepted. The town promised Mr. Muzzy $ 500 
 as a settlement to be laid out in building a house for him ; also, 
 " to give him for his annual salary £ 65, and to add 40 shil- 
 lings per year until it amounts to £ 75, and thirty five cords 
 of wood." He was to have three Sabbaths in a year to visit 
 his friends. They appropriated $40 to defray the charges of 
 the ordaining council. He was ordained Feb. 6, 1798. He 
 was a graduate of Hanover in 1793. He was pastor of the 
 church about twenty nine years. Was dismissed May 22d, 
 1827. He removed to Lexington, Ms, where he remained till 
 he died. 
 
 In 1801 the town took up the subject of building a new 
 Meeting-house. The old one was so small that many were 
 obhged to be outside hearers, and sat upon the grass under 
 the open windows during the exercises ; for the first few 
 years after the town was incorporated, they had preaching 
 only in the summer season. The town found much difficul- 
 ty in locat'mg the new house ; meeting after meeting was 
 held ; votes were passed and re-considered eight different 
 times, before a spot was finally fixed upon. Two commit- 
 tees from out of town were called in. Finally the town 
 voted that the decision of the second committee should be 
 binding and end the disimte in regard to the spot. A com- 
 mittee was appointed to set up the frame, and to provide as 
 many dinners as the master workman thought it necessary 
 to have men to raise the house, and liquor sufficient for 
 raising, which is said to have been a barrel. Voted, that Mr. 
 Muzzy offer prayer at the frame before the house was raised. 
 Prayers and Liquor ! In this day we dispense with the 
 liquor, and do we not, in too many instances, leave out the 
 prayer where they wordd have offered it ? The house was 
 dedicated Dec. 29, 1808, and stood about forty years, when 
 the First Congregational Society (formed June 6th, 1827,) 
 erected the present house which was dedicated Dec. 7, 1848. 
 The old house is now a neat and commodious town house. 
 
 The next pastor was Rev. Josiah Peabody, a graduate of 
 Dartmouth in 1825. He was settled Nov. 5th, 1828, 
 remained pastor a little less than one year, was dismissed 
 Oct. 21st, 1829, has since preached in various places, a,nd 
 now resides in this town. The next pastor. Rev. Josiah 
 Wright, a graduate of Dartmouth in 1809, was settled here 
 May 22d, 1834— dismissed April 28, 1840. The next pas- 
 tor, Rev. Alanson Alvord, was settled Feb. 24, 1842— dis- 
 missed May 18, 1844. 
 
 The present pastor. Rev. Thomas S. Norton, a graduate 
 of Amherst in 1840, was settled Feb. 4, 1846, and preached 
 
292 CHESHIBE COUNTY. 
 
 17 months previous to settlement. Thus, this church has 
 had five pastors ; four of them are still living. The church 
 and society, from all that we can learn, have not dismissed 
 their ministers without good and sufficient reasons on their 
 part. Before the settlement of the first pastor, various 
 individuals supplied the pulpit. The names we have heard 
 mentioned, are Lawrence, Brown, Woolly, Cotton, KandaU, 
 Kendall and Stone. Of those who supplied during the inter- 
 vals between the settlement of pastors, we mention Clapp, 
 Eaton, Whitney, Bradford, Job Cushman and Spencer S. 
 Clark. The latter was a candidate for settlement in 1844, 
 hut died of quick consumption the same year. The society 
 have no parsonage. A place, however, is owned by two mem- 
 bers of the church and reserved for their minister. The 
 amount annually given for benevolent purposes abroad is 
 about one hundred dollars. A Baptist society was formed 
 in 1808. The church now numbers 54 members. For sev- 
 eral years the society worshiped in town, but now meet in 
 Grilsum. There is now but one public meeting maintained 
 in town on the Sabbath. The average attendance on pubhc 
 worship is about 130. The whole number of church members 
 from the beginning, as near as can be ascertained, is 275 — 
 the present number is 110. The whole number of baptisms 
 from the beginning is 440, — infant baptisms 406. Five men 
 have been furnished for the ministry from this town. The 
 first season of special religious interest in town was in 1831, 
 when several were hopefully converted and added to the 
 church. There was a general interest throughout the town. 
 Eev. Job Cuslunan was then here. In 1838, the church 
 was again revived, and some were converted. In 1848, 
 there was quite an interest for a time. A few expressed 
 hope and were added to the church. In 1853, the church 
 were again refreshed by the outpouring of God's Spirit. — 
 This last revival was perhaps &fi fruitful as any that has been 
 enjoyed. The work was quite general through the town. 
 The converts were mostly young people, with a few middle 
 aged and heads of families. About 30 were added to the 
 church as the fruits of the revival, which was characterized 
 by great stillness. It was emphaticall}' the " still small 
 voice." The work was very gradual and continued for sev- 
 eral months. A number of active and promising young 
 men were brought into the church — some of whom, it is 
 hoped, will prepare for the ministry. This town is distin- 
 guished for the stability, enterprise and morality of its inhab- 
 itants. This may be attributed perhaps chiefly to three 
 causes : 1st, to its being a farming population : 2d, to its 
 
SWANZET. 293 
 
 not being cursed with rvm shops, and having no public house 
 or place of resort tor young or old men to congregate and 
 corrupt each other : and thirdly, the inhabitants have not 
 been disturbed by the various isms of the day, so that order 
 and quietness prevail. The church members are far more 
 active, and the morals of the people much better now, than 
 they were forty years ago. 
 
 SURKY.* 
 
 This town was taken otf from Gilsum and Westmoreland. 
 It was settled by Peter Hayward and others in 1764. It 
 was incorporated March 9, 1769 ; deriving its name from 
 Surry in England. The Congregational church was formed 
 June 12, 1769, consisting of fifteen members. The Rev. 
 David Darling, a graduate of Yale in 1779, was ordained 
 Jan. 18, 1781 as its first minister. He wa,s dismissed Dec. 
 30, 1783 ; " difficulties having arisen on accotmt of a, mar- 
 riage." Mr. DarHng afterward lived in Keene, and died 
 respected in 1835, aged 82 years. Rev. Perley Howe, a grad- 
 uate of Dartmouth in 1790, was ordained Sept. 16, 1795, 
 and continued pastor till 1837, when the church was re-or- 
 ganized on the original platform, Mr. Hoive having departed 
 from it. The Rev. Grardner S. Brown (vide Hinsdale) labor- 
 ed for a while with this church after its organization. After 
 him the Rev. Ezra Adams, a graduate of Amherst in 1835, 
 was ordained pastor in May 1840. He was dismissed in 
 November 1841. (vide notes on Gilsum.) Various others 
 have been employed from time to time ; but they are sup- 
 plied by the Methodists in part. The church numbers four- 
 teen members. Population in 1820, 570 ; in 1850, 556. 
 
 SWANZEY. 
 
 Rev. Elisha Rockwood. 
 
 It appears by authentic records, that this town was first 
 granted by Massachusetts to 64 proprietors in 1733, whose 
 first meeting was in Concord, Ms., June 27, 1734, and the 
 town was styled Lower Ashuelot. After the divisional Hnc 
 was run it was granted by New Hampshire, July 2, 1753, to 
 62 proprietors. It then received its present name. As to. 
 
 • Sketch by Z, S. Barslow, D.D. 
 
294 CHESHIRE COUNTY. 
 
 the character of the first settlers little is known, except that, 
 in the formation of the church and soon after, members are 
 recorded as coming from several of the best towns in Massa- 
 chusetts. The Congregational church was organized Nov. 4, 
 1741. The church covenant was then signed by the pastor 
 and 12 other men, in accordance with Cambridge platform, 
 and the Kev. Timothy Harrington was ordained. March 26, 
 1745, the pastor's house was burnt by the Indians, and with 
 it the church records. But such things and votes as were 
 distinctly recollected and considered imjjortant to be pre- 
 served, were afterwards recorded, and confirmed by vote of 
 the church. The inhabitants suflered much from the hostil- 
 ity of the Indians, and in 1747 they abandoned the town, 
 burying in the ground many heavy articles of furniture. — 
 The writer has seen a Bible in the hands of Elijah Belding, 
 Esq. which is said to have been buried under a brass kettle. 
 During their absence all the buildings in the place, save one, 
 were burned. The church, however, was not disbanded ; for 
 it appears on record, that they met in Brookfield, Ms., Sept. 
 14, 1748, and again by adjournment in Kutland, Oct. 11, 
 1748, to consider and act upon the request of their pastor, 
 Eev. Timothy Harrington, to give him a dismission and 
 testimonials, recommending him to the church in Lancaster, 
 where he was afterwards settled. His request was granted 
 on his rehnquishing all claim to any arrearages of salary, and 
 forever after, also, his claim to the first minister's right of 
 land in Lower Ashuelot. Eev. T. Harrington, by his wiU, 
 gave to this church money for the purchase of a silver cup as 
 a token of affectionate remembrance. Said cup cost $15.35. 
 During his ministry in tliis town, including the original 
 members, 45 were admitted to full communion, 19 de novo, 
 and 26 from 15 other churches. Baptisms 20. At a church 
 meeting held for the purpose Jan. 5, 1745, Timothy Brown 
 and Jonathan Hammond were chosen deacons, and Oct. 2, 
 1|45, they accepted and were constituted such. At this 
 time also a vote passed, requiring members of other churches 
 residing among them to bring letters of dismission and re- 
 commendation within one year, for failure of which, without 
 an accepted reason, they should be debarred from communion. 
 Oct. 4, 1753, the towns of Keene and Swanzey, (formerly 
 Upper and Lower Ashuelot,) united in the support of gospel 
 ordinances, and imanimously agreed to be one religious 
 society, bearing the expenses equally, for three years. The 
 churches of these two towns met at the school house in 
 Swanzey, April 21, 1753, and subscribed to the church cov- 
 enant, thus forming one church; 21 male members thus 
 
SWANZET. 295 
 
 giving their signatures, and the pastoral care of them was 
 by ecclesiastical council committed to Kev. Ezra Carpenter. 
 Nine churches were represented in council at this installa- 
 tion. The union of these two churches continued about 
 seven years. When they separated the Rev. pastor had his 
 choice with which to remain, and he preferred Swanzey. 
 Eecords do not show when he was dismissed ; but tradition 
 says that it was " about the year 1764, and by his own re- 
 quest and the concurrence of an ecclesiastical council, and 
 that the council had but just left the Meeting-house, which 
 stood on the hill back of Esq. Elijah Carpenter's house, when 
 a tornado passed and turned the Meeting-house one quarter 
 round, so that it was made to face the east instead of the 
 south. Several buildings were also unroofed or blown down, 
 and one of the councd had a horse killed at the time." Per- 
 haps the consternation was so great, that a record of the dis- 
 mission was forgotten. Moreover, the records now extant 
 made prior to that time are stated to have been copied from 
 the old book, and attested to as a true copy by Eev. E. God- 
 dard, Mr. Carpenter's successor in office, and the record of 
 dismission might have been overlooked and the old book 
 destroyed. During Eev. Mr. Carpenter's ministry 35 were 
 admitted to full communion, and 126 were baptized. Salary 
 £ 100. Before the next ordination 57 baptisms were admin- 
 istered by other hands. 
 
 The Eev. Edward G-oddard, from Shrewsbury, Ms., was 
 ordained in Swanzey, Sept. 27, 1769. Six churches by their 
 pastors and delegates were represented in council, but no 
 mention is made of the individuals who took part in the 
 exercises. But the pastor states, by "N. B., that the set- 
 tlement was founded upon the Cambridge platform, as it is 
 generally received and practiced upon by New England 
 churches." During the Eev. E. Goddard's ministry the 
 Eevolutionary war occurred, and he, like many others, had 
 some difficulty in obtaining his salary, which was stipulated 
 at £ 100 and some land. There were also several cases of 
 discipline, and his situation became so embarrassing that he 
 asked for a council and dismission, if deemed advisable, 
 which was concurred in, and his dismission took place July 
 5, 1798. During his ministry of nearly 29 years, 100 mem- 
 bers were admitted to fuU communion de novo, and 56 from 
 other churches, and 405 baptisms were administered. The 
 baptismal or half way covenant, as it is called, was then in 
 practice. In their subsequent destitution of a settled pastor 
 12 were admitted to the church, and 24 baptized. 
 
 The Rev. Clark Brown, a graduate of Harvard 1797, and 
 
296 CHESHIEE CODNTT. 
 
 who had heen dismissed from Brimfield, Ms., began to sup- 
 ply the pnlpit in Swanzej^, Aug, 21, 1808, and was installed 
 Sept. 5, 1810. He professedly became an Episcojiahan, and 
 attempted to render the chnrch such, but failing in this at- 
 tempt, his connection was dissolved by mutual council, Oct. 
 1, 1815. During his ministry 49 were admitted to full com- 
 munion, and 82 were baptized. Salary $400. He was a 
 man of popular talent, but unstable. In the interim be- 
 tween his dismission and the next ordination seven were ad- 
 mitted, and 10 baptized. The Rev. Joshua Chandler, a 
 graduate of Harvard 1804, was ordained Jan. 20, 1819, and 
 dismissed by council at his own request, Nov. 26, 1822. 
 During his ministry nine were admitted to communion, and 
 23 baptized. His salary was $ 400. In the interim between 
 Ms dismission and the next installation two were admitted 
 to church fellowship. The number of the church from the 
 first is 417, and the baptisms 707. 
 
 The Kev. Ebenezer Colman, a graduate of Brown in 1815, 
 was installed pastor of this church May 23, 1827. During 
 his ministry 26 were admitted to the church, and 22 were 
 baptized. As the Universalists claimed the Meeting-house 
 a portion of the time, the church, pastor, and those who 
 worshiped with them, had frequently to resort to a school 
 house or private haU for worship, which was so annoying to 
 the Eev. Mr. Colman, and the society not feeling able or 
 ready to build a new house according to his request, he 
 asked, and by council obtained a dismission, July 1, 1834. 
 He was a man of evangelical sentiments, and a good pastor. 
 Salary $300, and 30 cords of wood. After bis" dismission, 
 and before the present pastor was installed, 22 were admitted 
 to the church, and 16 were baptized. All the pastors above 
 mentioned were dismissed, and recommended as in good 
 standing in the ministry. 
 
 The Eev. Elisha Rockwood, a graduate of Dartmouth 
 1802, and pastor of the orthodox church in Westborough, 
 Ms., for twenty six and one third years, was installed in 
 Swanzey Nov. 16, 1836, soon after the brick Meeting-house 
 was built. Since his settlement to the present period, (No- 
 vember, 1854,) 54 have been received to the church, and 62 
 baptized— 18 adults and 44 infants. Salary $400: he has 
 annually relinquished $75 since 1845. It does not appear 
 that there has ever been any very general revival of rehgion 
 in the town, though there have been many seasons of more 
 than ordinary attention to the subject, and in different sec- 
 tions of the town something Uke revivals have been experi- 
 enced among both the Congregationalists and the Baptists. 
 
TROY. 297 
 
 But botli these societies put together, at the present time, 
 would not make a majority of the inhabitants. The average 
 attendance on pubUc worship in both these churches, which 
 are nearly equal in numbers, cannot be more than 250. Not 
 more than one sixth part of the inhabitants of the town can 
 be considered as belonging to this parish. Compared with 
 40 years ago, aged people say there is great improvement in 
 the general aspect of society, much less open wickedness and 
 profanity. The Temperance reform has doubtless had great 
 influence in correcting many evils, but much more needs to 
 be done. Contributions to benevolent societies in this parish 
 annually average about $ 100. 
 
 TROY. 
 
 Rev. Luther Tow.vsend. 
 
 The town of Troy was incorporated in the year 1815, 
 made up of portions of the towns of Marlborough, Swanzey, 
 Eichmond and Fitzwilliam. The inhabitants, living in their 
 respective towns at a distance from a house of worship, were, 
 a portion of them, not church going, and there was much 
 intemperance and immorality in other respects. The Sab- 
 bath was a day for pleasure or labor, and the present gener- 
 ation is suftering on this accoimt. A house of worship was 
 erected the year previous to tlie incorporation of the town, 
 and became subject to its control. Sept. 14, 1815, a Con- 
 gregational church was organized by a council consisting of 
 Rev. H. Fish of Marlborough, Rev. John Sabin of Fitzwil- 
 liam, and Rev. E. Rich, an evangelist. Ten men and their 
 wives, in the presence of this council, subscribed to an agree- 
 ment of fellowship, and having adopted articles of faith and 
 a covenant, publicly assented to these before the council. 
 
 Rev. Ezekiel Rich, a graduate of Brown university 1808, 
 was the first pastor of the church— installed Dec. 20, 1815. 
 The town was a party in the contract with Mr. Rich. His 
 pastoral relation was sustained till July 18, 1818. The res- 
 idence of Mr. Rich was in Troy till 1845, and after his dis- 
 mission he supphed the pulpit for short periods for several 
 years when no other minister was employed. He died of 
 paralysis a short time since at Deep River, Conn. After 
 1819 the town raised nothing for preaching, and, for two or 
 three years before, only the members of the Congregational 
 society were taxed. After the removal of Mr. Rich, Rev. 
 Seth E. Winslow was employed as a stated supply by the 
 20 
 
298 CHESHIRE COUNTY. 
 
 church and society about three years from sometime in 1820 
 —Rev. 0. 0. Whiton from Sept. 1824, to Dec. 1827. He was 
 invited to become pastor, but declined. Eev. Messrs. Pea- 
 body, Pittman and Erwin, were employed for short periods. 
 
 June 14, 1829, Eev. Stephen Morse, a graduate of Dart- 
 mouth 1821, commenced preaching, and was installed as the 
 second pastor of the church, Aug. 26, 1829. Eev. Z. 8. 
 Barstow, D.D. of Keene preached the sermon. Mr. Morse 
 continued pastor till Jan. 31, 1833. Previous to Mr. Morse's 
 ministry in Troy, there were some in the Congregational 
 society who were desirous of jjreaching of a more liberal 
 character and had decided to oppose the settlement of anoth- 
 er orthodox minister ; but the circumstances were such that 
 none could very strenuously object to the installation of Mr. 
 Morse. The element referred to above did not, however, 
 sleep, and this, together with the action of Mr. Morse in 
 favor of Temperance, which dissatisfied some, occasioned the 
 withdrawal of quite a number from the society, and so 
 diminished the amount of support, that the dissolution of 
 the pastoral relation was the result. After this the desire 
 for anti-orthodox preaching became stronger, and commit- 
 tees were secured who would provide such preaching. Eev. 
 Mr. Sweet was employed in the spring of 1833, whom the 
 church, after four Sabbaths, voted, nem. con., not to concur 
 with the society in employing ; and about this time the 
 church, separate from the society, negotiated for supplies. — 
 Eev. L. Ainsworth, of Jaffrey, preached several Sabbaths 
 in the summer of 1833, and Eev. J. D. Crosby, who was 
 afterwards colleague pastor vnih Mr. Ainsworth in Jaffrey, 
 preached eight Sabbaths in the autumn. 
 
 Dec. 16, 1833, a new society was organized by the name 
 of the Trinitarian Congregational Society of Troy, compos- 
 ed mostly of members of the church ; and" in connection with 
 this society the church has since acted in sustaining the 
 institutions of the gospel. As the old society occasionally 
 had preaching, and occupied the Meeting-house, the church 
 and new society were obliged to worsliip in a private dwell- 
 ing, or in the school house which was after a time furnished 
 by the Center school district. In 1834-5 a new Meeting- 
 house was built by the church and society. They had only 
 occasional preaching till Sept. 1835. Eev. J. D. Farns- 
 worth, who has recently deceased at Bridgewater, Ms., 
 preached ten Sabbaths. Eev. A. Spaulding, now of Cornish, 
 supplied eight Sabbaths. Eev. Mr. Holman preached six 
 Sabbaths. 
 
 Eev. Jeremiah Pomeroy was installed the third pastor of 
 
- , WALPOLE. 291 
 
 the church, Jan. 6, 1836. This relation continued till Feb. 
 27, 1844. Mr. Pomeroy afterwards went to Harrisville, 
 where he remained some four years. He has been for several 
 years in Massachusetts. 
 
 Early in March 1844, Mr. L. Townsend was employed to 
 supply the pulpit seven Sabbaths. During the summer 
 and autumn, Rev. S. S. Arnold, formerly of Alstead, par- 
 tially supi^lied the pulpit. Dec. 1, 1844, Mr. Townsend 
 resumed his labors, and March 5, 1845, was ordained to the 
 work of the gospel ministry, and installed the fourth pastor 
 of the church from its organization, and the second of the 
 Trinitarian Congregational Society. 
 
 The method of raising money for the support of the gos- 
 pel has been, uniformly, by subscription since the new society 
 was organized. After the settlement of Mr. Morse in 1829, 
 assistance was obtained from the New Hampshire Missiona- 
 ry Society, and continued through the ministry of Mr. Pom- 
 eroy. When Mr. Townsend was ordained, he consented to 
 take up with $50 less per annum as salary, and on these 
 conditions the church and society decided to assume the 
 payment of the whole. This church and congregation has, 
 however, suffered' within a few years, from death and emi- 
 gration, so that it may very soon become again a missionary 
 field. This is not yet a temperate people ; though an evi- 
 dent imjirovement is ^dsible compared with the period when 
 the town was incorporated, still, the gospel has not made 
 conquests here such as are seen in some places. About one- 
 fourth of the population are represented in the orthodox 
 congregation, which averages over 100 per Sabbath. The 
 whole number of church members from the beginning is 
 168. The present number is 64. There have been 158 
 infant baptisms. Benevolent contributions from the church 
 and congregation average $ 100 per annum. There is a Cal- 
 vinist Baptist church and society, which has a neat brick 
 Meeting-house, and regular worship on the Sabbath. The 
 proprietors of the first Meeting-house built in Troy have 
 sold out their right to the town, and the house is now exclu- 
 sively owned by the town and occupied only as a Town 
 house. 
 
 o 
 
 WALPOLE. 
 
 Rev. J. M. Stow. 
 
 ' This was called " Great Fall" originally. The settlement 
 began in 1749 — granted to Col. Benjamin Bellows and sixty 
 
300 CHESHIRE COUNTY. 
 
 one others, by the government of New Hampshire, Col. 
 Bellows was often amidst dangers from the St. Francis tribe 
 of Indians. On one occasion in his absence they took the 
 Fort. On his return, he opposed fifty Indians with twenty 
 men and recovered the Fort without losing a man. Kev. 
 John Kilburn was minister in 1749. But little is known of 
 him. 
 
 The Rev. Jonathan Leavitt, a graduate of Yale in 1758, 
 was ordained over the Congregational church in 1761. He 
 was dismissed in 1763, but for what reason is not known. 
 Rev. Thomas Fessenden followed him. He was a graduate of 
 Harvard in 1758, and was settled in January 1767. He 
 died May 9th, 1813, aged 74. His sentiments if we may 
 judge of them by his " Science and Sanctity" were far from 
 being orthodox. The Rev. Pliny Dickinson, a graduate of 
 Dartmouth in 1798, was ordained colleague with Mr, Fes- 
 senden March 6th, 1805. He was dismissed April 13, 1831, 
 for reasons that do not appear in the records. He died not 
 long after. At the time of his dismission there was a divi- 
 sion in the church. They no longer worshiped together as 
 a town. 
 
 Mr. Edwin Jennison was the next minister. He was a 
 native of tliis ^ilace — was a graduate of Andover theological 
 seminary — was ordained Aug. 16, 1831 — was dismissed 
 March 18th, 1835, on account of ill health At the time of 
 his settlement the church was small and the society feeble. 
 They had many and great obstacles to contend with. Dur- 
 ing his ministry there was a revival, and the church consid- 
 erably increased in numbers. He was followed by Rev. 
 B. B. Beckwith, late of Athol, Ms., who was installed by 
 the same council that dismissed his predecessor. He only 
 remained with the people about ten months — was dismissed 
 Jan. 5, 1836. From this time to September 1837, Rev. 
 S. S. Arnold preached as stated supply. 
 
 Rev. Abraham Jackson was installed Jan. 10th, 1838 — 
 was dismissed Jan. 6th, 1845, at his own request. He was 
 followed by Rev. E. H. Barstow, who was ordained Aug. 6th. 
 1845 — and dismissed Dec. 30th, 1851. The same day, Rev. 
 A. Goldsmith was installed in his place. Mr. Groldsmith 
 was dismissed March 7th, 1853. From this time to Jan. 
 31, 1855, the church was without any stated supply. On 
 that day Rev. J. M. Stow — the present pastor — was ordained. 
 The whole number of church members from the beginning, 
 has been 685 — the whole number of baptisms 1260. Three 
 young men have prepared for the ministry. There have 
 never been any extensive revivals in the church. At several 
 
WESTMORELAND. 301 
 
 times there have been refreshings of the Holy Spirit. The 
 number of church members now is less than at some former 
 times. The church numbers from 90 to 100. Both church 
 and society enjoy a good degree of prosperity. Congrega- 
 tion numbers from 200 to 250 in good weather. The society 
 has a very good house of worship — no parsonage, but a house 
 is being built by one of the members, to be reserved for this 
 purpose. 
 
 WESTMOKELAND. 
 
 Rev. Stephen Rogkhs. 
 
 This town, sometimes called Number 2, or Great Mea- 
 dow, was first granted by Massachusetts. It was settled in 
 1741, by four families. The first settlers were very much 
 annoyed by the Indians. The Congregational church was 
 organized Nov. 7, 1764. The same day the Kev. William 
 Goddard, a graduate of Harvard in 1761, was ordained its 
 pastor — was dismissed at his own request Aug. 7, 1765. 
 Rev. Messrs. Davis and Mills supplied the church two years 
 each, and Eev. Mr. Farrington one year after the dismission 
 of Mr. Goddard. 
 
 The Rev. Allen Pratt, a graduate of Harvard in 1785, was 
 settled by the town. The following is from the to\\Ti book : 
 "voted to give Mr. Allen Pratt a call to settle in this town, 
 in the work of the gosjfjel ministry. Voted to give Mr. Al- 
 len Pratt one hundred pounds salary, so long as he shall re- 
 main our minister. Voted that Mr. Pratt's salary shall be 
 paid one fourth in cash. The other three fourths in grass 
 fed beef at sixteen shillings and eight pence j^er cwt. ; or 
 grain, wheat at four shillings eight pence per bushel, rye at 
 three shillings four pence, corn at two shillings and eight 
 pence per bushel." Mr. Pratt was ordained pastor of this 
 church Oct. 6, 1790. 
 
 Jan. 1, 1828, after the dedication of the new house of wor- 
 shijJ in the South village, a fraction more than a mile from 
 this place, by request of some of the members of this church, 
 Mr. Pratt invited three ministers then present, and such 
 members of this church as wished for consultation, to repair 
 to his house. Mr. Pratt had before stated his intention to 
 preach in the new house, but the church had voted to remain 
 in the old house in the village. The three ministers then 
 present at the house of Mr. Pratt resolved themselves into a 
 council, and advised Mr. Pratt to ask a dismission and at 
 
302 CHESHIRE COUNTY. 
 
 this informal meeting of the church Mr. Pratt did ask, and 
 the members present voted his dismission, and the coun- 
 cil declared the connection dissolved ; eleven persons while 
 members of this church, then present, under the advice of the 
 council, resolved themselves into a new church, and the coun- 
 cil declared them a church. They then gave Mr. Pratt a call 
 and he accepted it, and was by the council declared its pas- 
 tor. All this was done in one evening. Thirty six were 
 soon added to this church by letter from the old church. Mr. 
 Pratt died at Westmoreland, June 5, 1843. 
 
 The church records show that twenty two were added to 
 this church in 1812. In the winter of 1821-2 there was the 
 most important revival of religion ever enjoyed by this 
 church. As the fruits of this work of grace eighty were 
 received to this church in one year, and ninety four persons 
 were baptized the same year ; some of the fruits of this revi- 
 val remain to this time ; its influence was highly salutary 
 upon this church and community. 
 
 Mr. Pratt was dismissed from the new church in 1827, and 
 by the request of the members of the new church they re- 
 turned and became members of the old church. During Mr. 
 Pratt's ministry he received to the church 273 members, bap- 
 tized 289 persons, married 419 couples, and during the same 
 time 1043 died. 
 
 The Sabbath after Mr. Pratt was dismissed, the Kev. Otis 
 C. Whiton, a graduate of Dartmouth in 1815, commenced 
 his ministry in this place, and was installed pastor of the 
 church May 21, 1828. During his ministry several were 
 added to the church. His memory is blessed. At his own 
 request, he was dismissed Jan. 1, 1833. He died at Harris- 
 ville, Oct. 17, 1845. The records of the church are lost from 
 1828 to 1841. 
 
 From 1833 the Kev. Ebenezer Chase supplied the pulpit 
 for two or three years ; his labors were much blessed, and 
 of pleasant memory. Thirty six by profession were brought 
 into the church in his brief time of labor. In 1835 Rev. 
 Clark Perry is found laboring here, and seven persons entered 
 the church. 
 
 The Kev. Thomas Riggs began to preach here in 1836, and 
 was installed pastor of tliis church Dec. 30, 1838. At his 
 own request he was dismissed June 1, 1839. The Rev. 
 Alanson Alvord supplied the church in 1840. 
 
 The Kev. Robert W. Fuller was ordained pastor of this 
 church June 16, 1841, and at his own request was dismissed 
 Jan. 11, 1843. During his ministry in this place there was 
 a revival of religion of considerable interest, and a valuable 
 
WESTMORELAND. 303 
 
 accession was made to the church. Nearly fifty members 
 were added to it as the fruits of the blessing of Grod upon his 
 labors, and upon a protracted meeting. The Rev. George W. 
 Ash was ordained Oct. 25, 1843, a'nd at his own request was 
 dismissed March 11, 1846. During his ministry two were 
 received to the church, and five persons were baptized. 
 
 The present acting pastor, the Eev. Stephen Rogers, com- 
 menced his labors in this place Aug. 6, 1846. During his 
 ministry 67 have been received to the church — 81 have been 
 bajitized, and 243 have died. There was a revival of religion 
 in 1850-1. It commenced in the church, and for months 
 manifested itself in attendance upon prayer meetings and a 
 general spirit of prayer. During this work of grace there 
 was no preaching except upon the Sabbath, but hundreds 
 attended the prayer meetings from week to week. The pe- 
 culiar features of this work were, stillness and solemnity. 
 The church as a body came up to the help of the Lord. Af- 
 ter this refreshing season, the society remodeled their house 
 of worship, and made it one of the most convenient and 
 tasteful houses in the county ; the sKps are annually rented 
 for the support of the gospel. They also purchased and paid 
 for a parsonage ; and for sometime there were few churches 
 in this region that exerted a greater or better moral influ- 
 ence than this, and but few societies gave greater hope of 
 permanency or usefulness. But days of trial were near. A 
 few persons, believed to be unfriendly to this church, built a 
 new house of worship) in the South village, and on Nov. 22, 
 1852, a petition was presented, signed by nineteen members 
 "bf this church, to which four or five other names were soon 
 added, asking a dismission and recommendation to be organ- 
 ized into another Congregational church in this town. The 
 church having matters of difficulty with a part of them for 
 breach of covenant obligations, and not wishing to take the 
 responsibility of saying whether or not the interest of religion 
 required another Congregational church in Westmoreland, 
 proposed to refer the whole matter to a mutual council, to be 
 chosen from Congregational churches in this county. To this 
 the petitioners agreed, and each party chose a committee to 
 carry out the arrangement. But the petitioners, instead oi 
 carrying out the plan in good faith, soon employed the Rev. 
 Robert W. Fuller, and, without the advice of council, estab- 
 lished separate worship from the church. Here is the com- 
 mencement of the alleged schism. After the petitioners had 
 h'eld separate worship a short time, instead of carrying out 
 their previous agreement, on Dec. 30, 1852 they presented a 
 second petition on the same subject. The church again took 
 
304 CHESHIKE COUNTY. 
 
 action on their request, and, still wishing advice on a matter 
 of such grave importance, proposed to refer the whole subject 
 to a mutual council, ])'>'ovided no jierson should he on the 
 council, thcd had pre-judged the case, given advice, or was 
 connected or related to either partij. The petitioners declined 
 this, and still continued separate worship. Under these cir- 
 cumstances, the church felt that something must be done. 
 On Jan. 13, 1853, they commenced a course of discipline 
 with the petitioners for schism, breach of covenant obliga- 
 tions, &c., and the petitioners having been notified of the 
 time and place when their several cases would be called up 
 for action, and thej having failed to be present, the church 
 suspended them from its fellowship. On Jan. 25, 1853, the 
 petitioners assembled an ex parte council. The church was 
 notified and present by committee, and objected to the juris- 
 diction of the council in the case. The parties were then 
 heard. After which the council made no more claim to have 
 control in the case. And proposed themselves to the parties 
 as mediators, and recommended a mutual council, named 
 the churches to be sent to, made out the letter missive, and 
 adjourned sine die. It was then to be submitted to the 
 church, and, if adopted by them, was to be binding on the 
 parties. At a subsequent meeting of the church, the result 
 and recommendation was adopted, provided the residt should 
 he used for no j^ujpose hut to collect the council to determiiie 
 the whole matter. This ivas rejected hy the ptetitioners, and 
 on Feb. 9, 1853, they re-assembled a portion of the ex parte 
 council, not sending to all the members, and inviting one 
 man that was not a member of the ex parte council. Thi^ 
 was done without notice to the churches, or to this church. 
 This so called, re-assemhled council organized the petitioners 
 into a church while they were under a course of disciphne, 
 and without due notice to the church. Still, they were not 
 fellowshiped by the churches. And on Dec. 13, 1853, the 
 petitioners called a third ex piarte council to examine the 
 foundation of their so called church. The old church were 
 notified and present by committee. This council required 
 the petitioners to offer to the old church a mutual Eeference, 
 with power to nominate a mutual council, and say what 
 should be submitted to them, and for this purpose they gave 
 the petitioners a prima, facie recognition. The Eeference 
 met on Jan. 21, 1854, named the mutual council, prepared 
 the letter missive, and proposed for the consideration of the 
 council : an alleged schism — discipline in the church — and 
 the organization of the new church, so called. The mutual 
 council met Feb. 21, 1854. This venerable council mistook 
 
WESTMORELAND. 305 
 
 the prima facie recognition by the third ex parte council for 
 a boncifde one, and thus talked to try and issue on the main 
 things submitted, regarding themselves as bound by the re- 
 cognition of the last mentioned council, whatever they might 
 have thought of the expediency of another church in this 
 place in the first instance — one of the most important things 
 submitted. Of this the church complain, and do not feel 
 themselves bound by their result. And if such decisions are 
 sustained, as Congregational, they weaken confidence in the 
 stability and soundness of our church polity, and involve 
 the peace and safety of our churches. 
 
 WESTMORELAND SOUTH. 
 
 Rev. R. W. Fuller. 
 
 The Evangelical Congregational church in Westmoreland 
 was organized on the ninth day of February 1853, in accord- 
 ance with the advice of an ecclesiastical council, composed 
 of pastors and delegates from five of the neighb(.iring church- 
 es, and convened by certain members of the United Con- 
 gregational church in said town, after the said members, 
 while in regular standing, had repeatedly solicited of said 
 church letters of dismission, or a mutual council, and both 
 had been denied them. The first church refusing to recog- 
 nize this body as a church, and having represented to the 
 conference of churches in the county that its organization 
 was irregular and invahd, the Conference recommended to 
 the two churches at variance, to unite in calling a mutual 
 council, and submit to the same "all their difficulties," with 
 a view to their settlement. Accordingly, a mutual council 
 was, at length, agreed upon, and convened at the old Meet- 
 ing-house, on the twenty first day of February, A. D. 1854, 
 consisting of the following pastors with their delegates, viz : 
 Eev. Samuel Osgood, D.D. of Springfield, Ms., Rev. Jona- 
 than Clement, D.D. of Woodstock, Conn., Rev. Silas Aiken, 
 D.D. of Rutland, -Vt., Rev. Charles Walker, D.D. of Pitts- 
 ford, _Vt., Rev. John Richards, D.D. of Hanover. This 
 council resulted in affirming the validity of the organization 
 of this church, and declaring it "entitled to the confidence 
 and fellowship of all Congregational churches." The old 
 church, however, contraiy to previous professions and pledg- 
 es understood from its acting pastor and leading members, 
 refused to acquiesce in this result. This church was, by a 
 unanimous vote, received to the Conference of churches in 
 
306 CHESHIRE COUNTY. 
 
 this county, at their meeting in June 1854, against the 
 remonstrance of the old church, which, at the same time, 
 withdrew from the Conference. Eighteen members united 
 in its organization ; its present number is twenty six. In 
 the spring preceding the organization of this church, a rehg- 
 ious society was legally formed, to sustain Congregational 
 preaching at the South (more properly central) village in the 
 town, and proceeded to erect a neat and commodious house 
 of worship, which, having been completed, and, by the ladies 
 of the society, handsomely furnished, was dedicated to the 
 worship of Almighty God, by neighboring Congregational 
 ministers, Dec. 26, 1852. The causes alleged for the for- 
 mation of this new society and church, were, the inconven- 
 ient and uncomfortable location of the Meeting-house of 
 the old society, the want of a spirit of accommodation on 
 their part in regard to the location of a new house of wor- 
 ship, and a conviction of the moral necessities of the town. 
 Kev. K. W. Fuller commenced preaching to the new con- 
 gregation on the Sabbath foUowmg the dedication of their 
 house, and has continued his ministration to them to the 
 present time. In March 1853, Mr. Fuller received a unani- 
 mous invitation from this church and society to become their 
 jjastor, and gave an afiflrmative answer, but on account of 
 ill health his installation has not taken place. The society 
 have, thus far, exhibited a commendable degree of liberality 
 and zeal, in sustaining the gospel, and great consideration 
 and kindness towards their minister ; have experienced as 
 much success in their new enterprise as could reasonably be 
 exjjected, in a community which had been so long given up 
 to the teachings of error, and they still feel encouraged to 
 " go forward." 
 
 : WmCHESTEE. 
 
 Rev. J. P, HuMPHHEY. 
 
 The town of Winchester, first called Arlington, was set- 
 tled as early as 1733, by families from Northfield, Lunen- 
 burg and other towns in Massachusetts. The first public 
 rec(. rd of the doings of the inhabitants was made in April 
 1733, and is the copy of a grant from the General Court of 
 Massachusetts of a tract of land six miles square, lying on 
 the east side of Connecticut river between Northfield and 
 the Truck house. This grant was made to Josiah Willard 
 and sixty three others. One of the conditions on which the 
 
■WINCHESTER. 307 
 
 grant was given, was, "that within three years after the con- 
 firmation of the grant they hnild a convenient house for the 
 public worship of God and settle a learned and orthodox 
 minister." Another condition was "that three of the 67 
 lots of the town be for public uses with all future divisions 
 belonging to such — one lot for the first settled minister, 
 another for the ministry, another for the use of the schools, 
 otherwise, for the first three settled ministers successively." 
 
 A Meeting-house was erected in 1735 at the "Bow" of 
 the Ashuelot river, on a hill which was afterwards called 
 "Meeting-house hill" and around which has grown up the 
 central village of the town. This Meeting-house was 40 
 feet long, 32 wide, and 18 high. The first preacliing in 
 town of which any record is found, is that of a Mr. Billings 
 in 1735, to whom the proprietors voted £ 16 for preaching 
 eight Sabbaths. 
 
 Nov. 21, 1736, a church was gathered and on the same 
 day Rev. Joseph Ashley was ordained and set over it. The 
 seriousness with which the early settlers took this step and 
 their general religious character may be seen in the follow- 
 ing vote, previous to giving Mr. Ashley a call: "Voted 
 that the committee, Col. Josiah Willard, Jeremiah Hall, 
 William Sjonms, wait upon some of the neighboring minis- 
 ters, three or four at least, to ask their advice, who may be 
 a proper person to give a call to, in order to settle with 
 them in the work of the gospel ministry, and to request the 
 assistance of some of them to assist in a day of fasting and 
 prayer, to ask the direction and blessing of God in this affair, 
 and not defer their waiting upon the ministers, for the ends 
 aforesaid, farther than sometime next week." As the result 
 of these inquiries they gave a call to " the worthy Mr. Joseph 
 Ashley." They offered for his encouragement to settle 
 among them "to give him £150, money or bills of credit, 
 towards his settlement, as also the ministerial lot of land 
 and £ 130 annually. This was a liberal salary for those 
 days in which the Governor of the Province, we learn, 
 received but £ 100 salary, and the minister of Portsmouth, 
 the capital, but £130. The original number of church 
 members was 12. To these 39 others were added, making 
 in all during Mr. Ashley's ministry, 51. Mr. Ashley contin- 
 ued his connection with the church about nine years, or to 
 1745 at which time the town including the Meeting-house 
 was burned in the Indian war, the settlement broken up, 
 and the church scattered. There is no account of the dis- 
 mission of Mr. Ashley ; he appears, however, on the council 
 twenty years afterward, nearly, at the ordination of the second 
 
308 CHESHIRE COUNTY. 
 
 minister of the town, from Sunderland, Ms., and gives 
 him the charge. It is understood that he was for many 
 years the minister of Sunderland, and died there. The set- 
 tlement of the line hetween Massachusetts and New Hamp- 
 shire threw this town within the limits of New Hampshire, 
 and it hecame necessary to ohtain a charter from this Prov- 
 ince, which was effected hj the returning inhabitants in 1753. 
 
 In 1760, a house of worship was erected on the site of the 
 old one, and stood till near the close of the century. A call 
 to settle ill the ministry was given to a Mr. Wingate in 
 1763, and to a Mr. Phelps in 1764, but without effect. 
 
 At length, after having been destitute of a permanent 
 minister nineteen years, Rev. Micah Lawrence was ordained 
 over the church Nov. 14, 1764. The church was now gath- 
 ered anew consisting of 20 persons, many of whom, however, 
 belonged to the original church. They adopted the same 
 articles of faith as were used under Mr. Asliley, and nearly 
 the same covenant. These articles of faith continued in use 
 tiU about the year 1826, at which time the fuller "articles" 
 recommended by the Monadnock Association were adopted. 
 The old covenant was replaced by the present one during 
 Mr. Porter's ministry about 1807. The town "gave Mr. 
 Lawrence for a settlement the right of land throughout the 
 town reserved fir that use in the grant and also gave him 
 50 pounds sterling, money of Great Britain. Then voted 
 to give him 45 pounds sterling for the first year's salary, to 
 increase until it should be 50 for the fourth year, and then 
 to give him 50 pounds and 40 good loads of wood at his 
 door every year, until such time as there shall be 100 fami- 
 lies living in to-wn, and then to give him 60 pounds sterling 
 so long as he shall continue a minister in this town." This 
 indicates that the population of the town was imder 600 
 inhabitants. The ministry of Mr. Lawrence, extending as it 
 did into the midst of the Pievolutionary period, partook 
 somewhat of the agitations of that time. One objection 
 brought against him before the council that dismissed him, 
 gives us the key to the opposition he met with from the 
 town, viz : " They were willing to bury all their complaints 
 against Mr. Lawrence except that of his unfriendliness to 
 Ids country." He was dismissed by an ecclesiastical council 
 Feb. 19, 1777. But notwithstanding the troublous times 
 of his ministry, the church was considerably enlarged and 
 its purity and order maintained. He admitted to its com- 
 munion 97 members during thirteen years — more than seven 
 per year. Judging from some manuscript productions of 
 his, still extant, he possessed good abilities as a writer and 
 
WINCHESTEB. 309 
 
 was evangelical in his views, and, so far as can lie known, 
 was exemplary in his life as a Christian minister. 
 
 After the dismission of Mr. Lawrence, the town was des- 
 titute of a stated ministry for eleven years. During this 
 period tlie services of a large number of ministers were 
 secured for three and six months at a time ; among whom 
 we find tlie names of Reed, Tracy, Hutcliinson, Alexander, 
 Murry, Walcott, Foster and Wilkins. To each of the last 
 three a call was given, but was declined. 
 
 Finally, Eev. Ezra Conant was ordained and set over the 
 church Feb. 19, 1788. The town voted to give Mr. Conant 
 £200 for a settlement, voted also to give him yearly £75 
 in silver money and twenty cords of wood. His theological 
 views may be gathered from the doctrinal standing of the 
 greater part of the ministers elected to be on the council. — 
 They were Arminian. Into this scheme of belief a vast 
 number of the churches sank, after the Revolutionary war 
 which had so blighting an effect upon vital religion through- 
 out the country. Many went over from this to Unitarian- 
 ism; others were saved from this extreme only by the 
 outpouring of the Spirit, and the revivals of rehgion at the 
 commencement of the present century. The ministers 
 caUed Arminian opposed the revivals of that day. The dis- 
 tinctive doctrines of Calvinism dropped out of their preach- 
 ing. Their public ministrations, which were confined almost 
 exclusively to the two services of the Sabbath, lacked the 
 fervor of earnest men. There was little zeal for the conver- 
 sion of sinners and few ivere converted. Mr. Conant came 
 into this class of ministers. The result was that during his 
 ministry vital piety declined in the church ; few were added 
 by profession ; discipline was neglected and the distinction 
 between the church and the world was nearly obliterated. 
 The church was composed of the old or the middle aged 
 only. The young, finding none of their age in the church, 
 were repelled from joining it even when disposed to do so. — 
 It is probable that the vitality of the church, though essen- 
 tially orthodox, sank lower at this period than at any time 
 before or since, — 46 only were received to the communion 
 during this pastorate of nineteen years. Upon agreement 
 with the town to receive $500, Mr. Conant resigned his 
 pastoral charge and was dismissed Nov. 12, 1807. 
 
 Mr. Experience Porter was ordained over the church the 
 same day. A new Meeting-house was built in 1794^5-6, a 
 short distance from the site of the old one. Mr. Porter, 
 coming at a time when the spirit of revival was beginning 
 to descend upon the churches at the opening of the century, 
 
310 CHESHIRE COUNTY. 
 
 was like "life from the dead." He appeared like the old 
 propthet entering the valley of dry bones — exceeding dry. 
 His voice came upon the ears of the dead multitude like the 
 trumpet of the resurrection. His words fell as the^ fire and 
 the hammer breaking in pieces the flinty rock. With great 
 boldness and pungency he proclaimed the distinctive doc- 
 trines of the gospel without softening his phrases, and with- 
 out fear or favor. AVhile the older members of the church 
 were ready to take their pastor in their arms, as is said, for 
 joy at having again the truth in its plainness and power, 
 such preaching was new and strange to a toivn that for a 
 score of years had Kstened to a very different style of minis- 
 tration. The cry was virtually renewed, "These that have 
 turned the world u^jside down are come hither also." Others 
 were asking "What must we do to be saved .? " A deter- 
 mined and unrelenting opposition on the part of the town 
 was, however, raised against him chiefly on account of his 
 doctrines. The often repeated calumny about the damna- 
 tion of infants was revived as having come from his lips. — 
 Opposition was made to some of his modes of promoting the 
 revived interest of the church, especially to his evening 
 prayer meetings. One of his records on the church book 
 is aimed at this opposition and it is probably characteristic 
 of the man: Voted "to continue and sujDjwrt conference 
 meetings as a privilege and duty which we cannot relinquish 
 to gratify the mcdicious and unreasonable clamors of ungod- 
 ly men." But a majority of those who joined in his settle- 
 ment desiring him to withdraw, he, according to previous 
 agreement, asked for a dismission, which took effect Feb. 
 20, ISIO. In the result of the council which dismissed him, 
 written probably by Dr. Seth Payson, it is said "The rea- 
 sons exhibited in the paper brought before the council as the 
 foundation of the desire for the pastor's dismission, are 
 stated to be, Mr. Porter's imprudences — among which they 
 mention in the first place and of principal importance, his 
 introducing and striving to C(jntinue night meetings or con- 
 ferences, and his laboring to establish i)arty or Hophinfonian 
 principles among them, which they assert has been attended 
 with lamentable consequences, and it is in vain to expect 
 regular order in society while he continues their minister. — 
 This paper, which needs no comment, save what may be 
 found in the tears of the friends of Zion, Mr. Porter con- 
 sented to receive as evidence of the will of the majority." — 
 After declaring the connection dissolved, the result says, 
 " While we lament the event wliich has such an unpropi- 
 tious aspect on the interests of religion in this place, we 
 
WINCHESTEK. 311 
 
 rejoice to find the church united in their approbation of Mr. 
 Porter, and, without a dissenting voice, and as far as we 
 can discover, without a dissenting feeling, recommending 
 him to the communion and service of tlie church, and that 
 the very allegations of his opposers will still further recom- 
 mend him to serious minds, and we unite with the church in 
 most cordially commending Mr. Porter to the service of the 
 churches, not only as undeserving the opposition he has 
 received, but as having been instrumental in advancing reli- 
 gion in this place. We would direct the eyes of this church 
 to her glorious King for protection and support, and we 
 would call upon each member of this society to be united to 
 the Redeemer, and to remember that as enemies he ^viU treat 
 the enemies of his friends, his cause and his truth." 
 
 The short ministry of Mr. Porter was a memorable point 
 in the history of the church and the truth in this jAace. It 
 was a battle with Arminianism, dead formalism, and all the 
 wicked passions of the natural heart. The victory was won 
 for the church. She was saved. His coming, under God, 
 re^avified her, as the older members affirm ; 44 were brought 
 into the church during his short stay of less than two and a 
 half years. It was a time of decisive results in the lives of 
 many individuals. Many embraced evangelical doctrines 
 with all their hearts. Others turned away from such views 
 with bitter hostility and remained thus opposed till their 
 death. Mr. Porter's ministry was probably the ciisis in 
 their lives, as it was the crisis in the history of the church. 
 
 Mr. Porter was a graduate of Dartmouth college in the 
 year 1803. After his removal from this town he was settled 
 in Belchertown, Ms. in 1812, as colleague pastor with Rev. 
 Mr. Forward. He remained there tliirteen years — was dis- 
 missed in 1825, and died in Lebanon, his native place, in 
 1828. While at Belchertown his people were visited with 
 two remarkable revivals. The first was in 1812 and brought 
 into the church 107 persons. The second was in 1818 and 
 resulted in the addition of 208 persons to the church — more 
 were added during his stay there than during the eightj^ 
 years in the previous existence of the church. 
 
 Mr. Porter was the last minister hired by this town. For 
 more than seventy years the whole town was united in one 
 religious society — the Orthodox Congregational. But before 
 Mr. Porter's day, individuals came forward and petitioned, 
 from time to time, to have their ministerial tax abated in 
 consequence of entertaining views different from the '"'stand- 
 ing order." Such petitions were granted. Upon the com- 
 ing of Mr Porter these differences of religious opinions were 
 
312 CHESHIRE COUNTY. 
 
 sharply defined and strongly brought out. The "iron and 
 the clay " could no longer cohere. Accordingly, before a call 
 was extended to Mr. Porter, 131 persons signed a protest 
 against his settlement because of his views, from which they 
 said they dissented. They gave notice, as they were per- 
 mitted by statute, that they would take no part in Ins set- 
 tlement, support or dismission. From this movement arose 
 the Methodist and Universalist societies. The Methodist 
 church embraces over 200 communicants. 
 
 After the dismission of Mr. Porter the Congregational 
 church remained without a pastor seven years and eight 
 months, having the services of Kev. Broughton White, Kev. 
 Mr. Howe, Rev. Phineas Cooke and others. The town no 
 longer undertook the support of the gospel. The means of 
 grace were henceforth to be sustained by voluntary societies. 
 The ministerial tax of those willing to support the gospel 
 was of course considerably increased, and the fears of those 
 who subjected themselves to this increased expenditure were 
 somewhat amusing : One man of large means being called 
 upon for $6, or $8, for the preaching, expressed his appre- 
 hensions that his whole estate would have to go for the sup- 
 port of the minister. The Meeting-house now began to be 
 claimed a part of the time by the other denominations. It 
 was finally voted to allow the use of the house one half of 
 the time to the other denominations, especially the Univer- 
 salists and Methodists ; the other half was secured to the 
 Congregational church and also those Sabbaths of the other 
 half when it was not used by the other societies. The result 
 was that henceforth the house was occupied by this church 
 about half the time. When excluded from the Meeting- 
 house they worshiped in the Tavern Hall near by, and in 
 the hall of the Academy which was afterwards the district 
 school house of the central village. 
 
 In September 1817, Mr. Salmon Bennett was ordained 
 over the church and remained till 1823, when he was dis- 
 missed by an ecclesiastical council. He was thoroughly 
 evangelical in his preaching ; and though no striking events 
 or special revival occurred during his ministry, yet it was 
 under him that the Sabbath School was organized, and the 
 Monthly Concert established. Mr. Bennett gathered 27 
 into the communion of the church. After his dismission 
 the church was again without a pastor for more than eight 
 years ; but in the meanwhile they engaged the services of 
 Pvev. William Ely, Rev. Mr. Ward, Rev. Mr. Taylor and 
 Rev. Mr. Arnold. Mr. Ely came in July 1824, and remained 
 till May 21, 1825, about ten months. But tlris short stay 
 
WINCHESTER. 313 
 
 was memorable for a very pleasing and extensive revival. — 
 Through him a large number of the older members of the 
 church were gathered in. The only record of this revival 
 on the church book is in the hand writing of Mr. Ely, and 
 is this : "The revival commenced in the spring of 1824. 
 During the four months beginning with August 28, a part 
 of the society employed Mr. Wiswell, a Unitarian preacher, 
 in opposition to the church. The church and a great por- 
 tion of the society during this period assembled in the hall 
 of the Academy." The result of his short labiirs was the 
 addition of 59 to the church — the greatest numljer ever 
 received to it in so short a time. Mr. Ely was a graduate of 
 Yale and of Andover. He died in 1850 at Eastbampton, 
 Ms. He was succeeded by Eev. Solomon Ct. Ward, a stated 
 supply, who came in 1826 and remained aljout a year. He 
 was from the South and returned thither when he had closed 
 his labors. Kev. Sereno Taylor followed him, also a stated 
 supply. He came in the fall of 1827 and continued his 
 labors till the fall of 1829. During his stay the church 
 experienced another season of revival, which brought into its 
 communion 46 persons. But though it was a time of revi- 
 val, it was also one of commotion and division occasioned by 
 Mr. Tajdor's views on baptism, which, it was thought b)^ 
 some in the church, rendered it inexpedient to employ him 
 as a minister of a Congregational church. Some of the 
 friends of Mr. Taylor left the church after his departure, 
 and connected themselves permanently with the Methodist 
 church. Rev. Joel H. Arnold followed Mi-. Taylor. He 
 came in May 1830, and left in December of the same year. 
 He was a graduate of Dartmouth in 1824. 
 
 At length, a call was extended to Rev. Francis Danforth 
 of Greenfield, and he was ordained Aug. 18, 1831. He was 
 a gi-aduate of Dartmouth and Andover. The labors of Mr. 
 Danforth were valuable in promoting the order and disci- 
 line of the church, and in establishing the members in the 
 doctrines of the gospel. The church had been so long with- 
 out a settled pastor that many things in its disciiiline and 
 purity had been neglected. The work Mr. Danforth accom- 
 plished in giving order and stability to the church was neces- 
 sary to its prosperity. To this work he seemed to be fitted 
 by his accuracy, his business habits and by his general good 
 abilities. During his ministry also the present Congrega- 
 tional house of worship was built, for which the society were 
 indebted much to his zeal and counsel. It was dedicated 
 Nov. 25, 1834. His ministry was not destitute of the pres- 
 ence of the Spirit's reviving power — 81 were gathered into the 
 21 
 
314 
 
 CHKSHIRE COUNTY. 
 
 church during his eight 3'ears ministry. He received a call 
 to the church in Hadley, Ms. He accepted it, and was dis- 
 missed 26th Nov. 1839. He remained a year at Hadley and 
 was dismissed. He afterwards preached in the western part 
 of Massachusetts a short time, and then removed to Clarence, 
 N. Y. and became pastor of the Presbyterian church in that 
 place, where he died in 1844. 
 
 Rev. John Thompson was installed pastor of the church 
 May 27, 1840. He had been a missionary of the American 
 Board among the Cherokees of Greorgia, having graduated 
 at Middlebury in 1825, and at Princeton theological semina- 
 ry in 1828. He was a fellow sufferer with Worcester, Butler 
 and others, in Georgia in 1831. He labored cliiefly at 
 Carmel. When that station was broken up by the removal 
 of the Cherokees, he left the mission on account of the health 
 of his family, and came to Ohio. Having labored in the 
 ministry three years there, he removed to Vermont and from 
 thence he carne to Winchester. He continued his ministry 
 here six years, when he died April 3, 1846, at the age of 46. 
 Mr. Thompson was zealous and abundant in. his labors. — ■ 
 Eevivals more or less extensive were enjoyed during his min- 
 istry. The church was considerably enlarged, the number 
 added during Iris stay being 128 — a number greater than 
 under any previous pastor. 
 
 Rev. John P. Humphrey, the present pastor, commenced 
 his labors in Sept. 1846 ; was ordained and set over the church 
 Feb. 3, 1847. He was a graduate of Dartmouth 1839, and 
 of Andover 1844. The number of admissions to the church 
 up to this date, (Feb. 1855,) is 50 persons. The present 
 number of members is 187, and the whole number of mem- 
 bere, 705. The number of infant baptisms have been 975. 
 The average attendance on public worship in evangeUcal 
 churches is about 400. The number of members compared 
 with the population, at the beginning of the century, as near 
 as can be ascertained, was about one to thirteen ; the pro- 
 portion now, considering the population 2600, which is less 
 than the census estimate, is about the same ; but, if the 
 members of the Methodist church are included, the propor- 
 tion is one to six or seven. The annual amount of charita- 
 ble contributions is about $300. Three men have been 
 furnished for the ministry from this place. 
 
§traff0rij ®0imtg. 
 
 BARRINGTON. 
 
 Rev. Theodore Wells. 
 
 The town of Barrington formerly included what is now 
 Barrington and Strafford. It was owned by proprietors in 
 Portsmouth. The town was incorporated in 1722. One 
 condition of the charter was that a house of worship should 
 be erected within seven years, that two hundred acres of 
 land be appropriated for a parsonage, and two hundred acres 
 for the iirst minister. The house was raised near the center 
 of the present town of Barrington, and was subsequently 
 removed to within about two miles of the lower line of the 
 town. Several appropriations were made by the proprietors 
 of the town towards completing the house of worship. The 
 Congregational church was organized by a council of ten 
 regular churches, June 18, 1755, consisting of seven male 
 members. At the same time Eev. Joseph Prince was or- 
 dained pastor. He was dismissed in 1768. He was blind. 
 He was noted for his religious fervor. Twelve or fourteen 
 years after lea^dng Barrington he was settled in Candia. 
 
 Eev. David Tenney was ordained over the church in Bar- 
 rington Sept. 18, 1771, and was dismissed, at his own request 
 on account of ill health, Oct. 26, 1778. Ha^dng taken his 
 final leave of Barrington, as he was proceeding to his friends 
 in Massachusetts, he was suddenly attacked with illness at 
 Durham and died immediately. The people were supplied 
 with preaching a part of the time during the year, for several 
 succeeding years, by different individuals. 
 
 AugTist 25, 1784, Eev. Benjamin Balch who had been pre- 
 viously settled in Dedham, Ms., was installed pastor here. 
 Efforts appear to have been made to maintain strict disci- 
 pline in the church in the early part of Mr. Balch's ministry. 
 His connection with the church and society continued tiU 
 his death, which occurred May 4th, 1815 at the age of 74 
 years. He suppHed the desk till about the time of his 
 decease, though his mind had become so broken, and his 
 health so infirm^ that the parish seems to have assumed the 
 
316 STEAFFORD COUNTY. 
 
 oversight of his affairs for several years. Finally, deeming 
 it inexpedient that he and his femily should continue at the 
 parsonage, the parish voted to engage some suitable person 
 to take the best possible care of Mr. Batch and his family 
 for one year. An arrangement to this eifect was made with 
 his son-in-law who resided in town. After taking his last leave 
 of the old parsonage, he set out on foot, (preferring to walk,) 
 for the residence of his daughter, about two miles distant. 
 He had nearly reached there, when he was seen to walk 
 unsteadily and to sit down by the roadside. He died on 
 the spot. The church now continued without a pastor thir- 
 teen years. A strong leaven of Unitarianism was developed 
 in the society soon after Mr. Balch's death, and it seemed 
 doubtful, for a time, what influence would preponderate. — 
 The desk was supplied with Unitarian preachers a part of 
 the time, one or two of whom were employed as candidates 
 for settlement. The scale was finally turned by one or two 
 of the Unitarians, who preferred to have an Orthodox society 
 and an Orthodox minister rather than division. 
 
 Eev. Cephas Kent was ordained over the church and soci- 
 ety Oct. 22d, 1828. He was a native of Benson, Vt., and a 
 graduate of Middlebury in 1824. While Mr. Kent was pas- 
 tor the church took pretty decided action in the Temperance 
 Eeform. He preached the word faithfully. He was dis- 
 missed May 3, 1830. 
 
 Kev. Samuel H. Merrill was ordained Feb. 23, 1831.— 
 During the few years of Mr. Merrill's ministry, there was 
 considerable religious interest, and fifty two persons were 
 admitted to the church on profession of faith. He was dis- 
 missed at his own request Aug. 18, 1835. The people were 
 now suppUed a year and a half by the venerable father 
 Ward. 
 
 Kev. Samuel Nichols was installed, Sept. 20, 1837. A 
 cormcil was called on the 26th of Oct. 1842, to dismiss Mr. 
 Nichols at the request of the church and society, on account 
 of an alleged inability to meet the current expenses, and 
 pay off a debt which had been accumulating for several 
 years. It was with reluctance decided that the dissolution 
 should take place unless an arrangement could be made 
 before the first of December. Mr. Nichols died a little more 
 than a year after his dismission, at South Beading, Ms. 
 
 The present pastor, Kev. Theodore Wells, commenced 
 preaching here in July 1843, and was ordained June 11th, 
 1845. The Congregational parish in Barrington was incor- 
 porated by the State Legislature, in 1818. It has a fund of 
 about $ 2,300, principally in bank stock, a parsonage, and 
 
DOVER. 317 
 
 twenty five acres of land. The fund was obtained in the 
 following way : About 1790, a town collector becoming a 
 defaulter, the town came into possession of his farm. A 
 larger part of the claims were relinquished to the parish. — 
 The rights of the remaining part were purchased by the 
 parish, and by the liberality of individuals. This farm was 
 sold and the money invested as a permanent fund. A new 
 and commodious house of worship was erected in 1840, at 
 a cost of about $ 2,400 — having forty six pews on the floor. 
 It has since been furnished with a bell. The congregation 
 varies in pleasant weather from 100 to 150. The church 
 numbers 45. The salary of the pastor is $ 450. 
 
 DOVEK.* 
 
 Rev. B. F. Parsons. 
 
 The "First Church in Dover" is the second in point of 
 age, now existing in New Hampshire. Unfortunately none 
 of its records prior to 1718 are in existence, but cotempora- 
 ry history and the voluminous records of the town's ecclesi- 
 astical action, supply authentic history, and also show that 
 the religious institutions of New Hampshire existed in Dover 
 at least five years before their establishment in any other 
 town. 
 
 Dover was settled in the spring of 1623 by Edward and 
 William Hilton, two brothers, formerly fish-mongers in Lon- 
 don, who emigrated in the service of the " Company of Laco- 
 nia," a body which held the title to a large extent of territo- 
 ry by grant from the English " Council at Plymouth." For 
 ten years there were no public religious institutions here : 
 the object of the settlement, which was not religious, but 
 pecuniary ; the Episcopal sentiments of the founders resi- 
 dent in England, and of one, at least, of the Hiltons ; and 
 the paucity of the inhabitants, who in 1631 had erected but 
 three houses, conspired to cause this state of things. But 
 when, after various sales, the ownership of the settlement 
 passed into the hands of Lords Say and Brooke, George 
 Willys and William Whiting, and under their auspices a 
 number of families from the west of England, some of whom 
 were persons "of good estate and of some account for reli- 
 gion," were induced to come to Dover, the Puritan owners 
 furnished for them a minister of their own faith. The com- 
 pany left Gravesend in August 1633, landed at Salem Oct. 
 
 •• ♦Sketch by Rev. A. H. Quint. 
 
318 STRAFFOED COUNTY. 
 
 10th, and immediately proceeded to Dover, and at this period 
 the ecclesiastical history of New HampsMre properly com- 
 mences. 
 
 William Leveridgc, the first minister of Dover and of New 
 Hampshire, was a graduate of Emanuel college, Cambridge, 
 England, receiving the degree of A. B. in 1625, and that of 
 A. M. in 1631, and was probably never settled in England. 
 He was "an able and worthy Puritan minister," was ardent, 
 industrious, enterprising, and possessed a good deal of inde- 
 pendence of character. He remained at Dover, owing to 
 want of support, less than two years, and went to Boston, 
 where, Aug. 9, 1635, he was admitted a member of the 
 First Church. He is found afterwards at Duxbury, Sand- 
 wich, Huntingdon, L. I., and Newton, L. I., at which last 
 place he died in 1692. It was during his ministry, in 
 1633-4, that the first church edifice was erected ; it stood 
 upon Dover Neck, on a site still pointed out. 
 
 He was succeeded by George Burdett, a former colleague 
 minister in the established church at Yarmouth, Eng., from 
 1633 to 1635. Difficulties sent him to America, and in 
 1637 he came to Dover from Salem, Ms., where, for more 
 than a year, he had resided, and part of that period had 
 preached. It will be remembered that the original founders 
 of New Hampshire desired to make it Episcopalian ; that 
 the English owners who sent the colony in 1633, desired to 
 make it Puritan. The conflict of these princijiles will 
 explain much of the confusion which commenced under 
 Burdett's ministry. Not committing himself at first, and 
 being a man of fine address and talents, he became a popu- 
 lar favorite. Restless, intriguing, and ambitious, in less 
 than a j^ear he jsrevailed upon the peojjle to elect him Grov- 
 ernor ; and immediately entered into correspondence with 
 Archbishop Laud, the Puritans' deadly enemy. A discove- 
 ry of this, by the opposite party, led to the loss of his office ; 
 detection in adultery speedily followed ; and in 1639-40 
 he made a hast)^ retreat to Agamenticus. A similar course 
 there of usurpation, crime and injustice, led to a similar ex- 
 pulsion ; he returned to England, joined the Eoyalists in the 
 Revolution of 1640, was committed to prison by the Parlia- 
 mentarians, and passed into forgetfulness. 
 
 Hanserd Knollys, his successor at Dover, born in Cawk- 
 well, Eng. in 1598, a graduate at Cambridge, Eng., ordain- 
 ed in the established church June 30, 1629, came to Boston 
 in July 1638, and almost immediately, by invitation of indi- 
 viduals, to Dover. Burdett, being then Grovernor, forbade 
 his preaching ; but when Underbill succeeded to Burdett's 
 
DOVER. 319 
 
 civil office, Knollys did to his religious station. And in 
 December 1638, (N. S.) nnder his care, the First Church 
 was organized. Except that in Hamjjton, no church in 
 New Hampsliire is older. His ministry was short and trou- 
 bled. Though a Puritan, yet, incensed against the Massa- 
 chusetts government which had arbitrarily forl>ade him, on 
 his arrival, to remain in its territory, he wrote a letter of 
 bitter complaint ; but remembering that that government, 
 arbitrary as it was, was the main bulwark against prelacy, 
 he retraced his steps. He was thus made a little unpopixlar, 
 when Thomas Larkham, a minister of prelatic tendencies 
 and of brilliant talents, came to Dover (in 1640,) and 
 became the popular favorite, and Knollys was discarded. — 
 The "more religious" part — the Puritan — adhered, however, 
 to KnoUys. He re-commenced preaching, and a series of 
 ci^^l suits, avowed quarrels and ineifectual mediations, 
 occurred between the factions, — a detailed account of which 
 our limits forbid. They were not ended until Knollys, tired 
 of the confusion, jdelded to the entreaties of his aged lather, 
 and in the summer of 1641 left Dover to return to England. 
 For fifty years afterwards, he lived a life of persecution, 
 driven about, fined, imprisoned, but always showing himself 
 a meek, devoted and self-sacrificing minister of Christ. — 
 Time has removed the obloquy which interested parties cast 
 upon his character in Dover ; and in England the name of a 
 publication society of the Baptists whom he there joined, 
 honors his memory. 
 
 Thomas Larkliam, his successor, born in Lyme, Eng., 
 May 2, 1601, a graduate of Jesus' college, Cambi-idge, had 
 been settled in Northam, Eng., prior to coming to Dover, 
 but had left that place on account of Puritan principles. — 
 In Dover, however, he favored Episcopacy, using its liturgy 
 in burial services, and inclining to its adherents. Like his 
 predecessor he was an able and learned man, but was as 
 turbulent as Burdett. A discovery of licentious conduct 
 ended his ministry in 1642, and he returned to England, 
 where he became a devotedly pious man, was ejected from 
 the ministry at Tavistock, and died in concealment in 1669. 
 He left many published works, a copy of one of which, viz. : 
 "On the Attributes of God," published in 1656, a small 
 quarto of .516 pages, full of ponderous learning, is now in 
 possession of the writer of this article. The Puritan senti- 
 ment at last prevaihng in Dover, and the Massachusetts 
 party succeeding in placing the town under that government 
 in 1641, the people applied to the authorities in Boston to 
 send them a minister. In answer, Daniel Maud became 
 
320 STRAFFOED COUNTY. 
 
 their pastor in 1642, — a man of " serious spirit, and of a 
 quiet and peaceable disposition," a graduate of Emanuel col- 
 lege, Cambridge, lie was a learned man, and up to his going 
 to Dover was sclioolmaster in Boston. Under his care, tUl 
 his death in 1655, the church prospered. In his time, in 
 1653, the second Meeting-house was built ; it was "forty foot 
 longe, twenty six foote wide, sixteen foot studd, with six 
 windows, two doores fitt for such a house, with a tile cover- 
 ing, and to planck all the walls, with glass and nails for it." 
 The salary of Mr. Maud was £ 50, with a house and land. 
 In his day the inhabitants were summoned to church by the 
 beating of the drum. His successor was John Keyner, who 
 came to America in 1635, and had been settled at Plymouth 
 from 1636 to 1654 ; in 1655 he settled in Dover, where he 
 died April 21, 1669. He was a man of irreproachable char- 
 acter, grave, conscientious, devout and learned. He was not 
 without troubles ; in 1662 the Quakers or Friends appeared 
 in his parish ; being treated with severity, they rapidly 
 increased, until at one time they numbered a third of the 
 inhabitants. This society, which still preserves its integrity 
 and respectability, built their first Meeting-house at Dover 
 Neck, September 1700, and another at Cochecho (the present 
 center of population) before 1720 ; their present one was 
 erected about 1770; their first "meeting" was established 
 about 1680; their "Montlily meeting" was commenced in 
 1702, and their " Quarterly meeting" in 1708. In parson 
 Keyner's time (in 1665) the "drum" gave way to a bell 
 which was imported by Maj. Waldron. In 1667 the church 
 was surrounded by a fortification, in anticipation of those 
 Indian troubles which afterwards made it perilous to go to 
 the house of God ; it was made of logs built upon an earth- 
 en intrenchment, and was a hundi-ed feet square, with pro- 
 jections at opposite corners ; its remains are stiU visible. — 
 Mr. Eeyner's salary was, in 1658, £120, a part of which 
 was payable in provisions at the following prices : beef at 
 3^d. per pound, pork 42-d., wheat 6s. per bushel, malt 6s., 
 peas 5s. A bouse was also given to him and his heirs in 
 1659 ; he was, besides, a man of property, owning an estate 
 in Batly, Gildersone, County York. In his time (1656) a 
 Meeting-house was built at Oyster river, near Durham, then 
 a part of Dover, in pursuance of an arrangement made in 
 1651, by which it was agreed that £ 100 should be raised 
 for two ministers who might "exchange as often as they 
 should agree." The earliest deacon whose name is preserv- 
 ed, appears in 1657, viz. John Hall. ' 
 
 John Reyner, jr., son of the last named, succeeded his 
 
DOVER. 321 
 
 father, after assisting liim for several years. Bora at Ply- 
 mouth in 1643, a graduate of Harvard college in 1()G3, ho 
 was the first minister of this church either horn or educated 
 in America. Assistant to his father in 1667, he was invited, 
 July 22, 1669, to continue his connection, hut was not set- 
 tled until July 12, 1671. He died at Braintree, Dec. 21, 
 1676, at the home of liis wife's father, Edmund Quincy. — 
 "He possessed a douhle portion of his father's spirit." 
 
 John Pike, horn in Salisbury, Ms. May 15, 164.5, — Har- 
 vard college 1765, — came to Dover "for the work of the 
 ministry," Nov. 1, 1678, and was settled Aug. 31, 1681. — 
 The Indian wars made liis ministry a broken one ; but he 
 died in Dover, March 10, 1709-10. The memorable deso- 
 lation of Cochecho, July 28, 1689, occurred during his pasto- 
 rate. Mr. Pike was "esteemed as an extraordinary preacher 
 and a man of true godhness. He was a grave and venerable 
 person, and generally preached without notes." Mr. Wise 
 of South Berwick used to say that "he never preached a ser- 
 mon which was not worthy of the press." The "halfway 
 covenant," it may be remarked, had not yet been adopted 
 at Dover. 
 
 He was succeeded by Nicholas Sever, who was bom in 
 Eoxbury, Ms., in 1680, graduated at Harvard college, 1701, 
 ordained at Dover, April 11, 1711. He was a man of char- 
 acter, talents and scholarship), but an almost total loss of 
 voice forced him to resign his charge in the spring of 1715. 
 He was tutor at Harvard college, for twelve years, and after- 
 wards Judge of Court Common Pleas in Plymouth County, 
 Ms. He died April 7, 1764. The business of Dover, which 
 at first was confined mainly to Dover Neck, had changed so 
 far its center, that in his time difficulties had arisen as to 
 the site of the church. A Meeting-house was therefore 
 erected in 1714 on Pine Hill, to accommodate the upper 
 part of a parish which covered Dover, Madbury, Rollinsford 
 and Somersworth, and services alternated between the two. 
 The old house was abandoned in 1720. In 1713, Newing- 
 ton was incorporated and the Dover church thereby dimin- 
 ished. 
 
 Jonathan Cushing succeeded Mr. Sever ; he was born in 
 Hingham, Ms. in 1689, graduated at Harvard college, 1712, 
 ordained in Dover, Sept. 18, 1717. During most of his 
 ministry he preached at Cochecho. He was "a grave and 
 sound preacher, a kind, peaceable and judicious pastor, a 
 wise and faithful friend." With his settlement tlie extant 
 church records commence. He died March 25, 1769. The 
 fourth Meeting-house was dedicated Dec. 13, 1758. The 
 
322 STRAFFORD COUNTY. 
 
 parish was incorporated distinct from the town, June 11, 
 1762. The church was diminished during Mr. Cushing's 
 pastorate, by the formation of Durham church March 26, 
 1718, by Somersworth ordination 28th Oct., 1730, by the 
 formation of Madbury parish, in 1755, and by dismissals 
 to a new church in Kochester, in 1732, and to one in Bar- 
 rington, June 1, 1755 ; and the limits of the parish were 
 reduced to its pi-esent territory. 
 
 Jeremy Belknap, D.D. born in Boston, Ms., June 4, 1744, 
 graduated H. C. 1762, was ordained colleague with Mr. Gush- 
 ing Feb. 18, 1767, and became sole pastor in 1769. He is 
 well known by his History of New Hampshire and other 
 valuable works. After much trouble in regard to his pecmi- 
 iary relations with the parish, in which patience, forbear- 
 ance and Christian integrity were conspicuous, and which 
 arose out of the evil system of compulsory taxation which 
 he came at last to abhor, liis pastorate terminated Sept. 11, 
 
 1786, and he became pastor of the Federal street church in 
 Boston, (afterwards Dr. Channing's,) April 4, 1787. He 
 died June 20, 1798. In his ministry the " half way cove- 
 nant " plan was terminated. At a church meeting held Dec. 
 21, 1768, to consider the disorders of the church, "it was 
 agreed that all who own the Covenant are under equal Ohh- 
 gations to all Duties and have an equal right to all the Priv- 
 ileges of Christians." A renewal of the covenant was deemed 
 advisable, but the matter was delayed until Jan. 11, 1769, 
 when the renewal was ordered ; and on the 10th of May, on 
 a day of fasting and prayer, a new covenant was adopted ; 
 thirty nine of the old members, two of the " half way" mem- 
 bers, and five from other churches, acknowledged it. 
 
 Eobert Gray, twelfth minister, born in Andover, Ms., in 
 1761, graduated H. C. 1786, was ordained at Dover, Feb. 28, 
 
 1787. He was a man of sujDcrior and even brilliant talents, 
 but of loose morality, and under his ministry Dover sadly 
 deteriorated. His want of fitness became at last so painful- 
 ly notorious, that the necessary separation took place May 
 20, 1805. He died Aug. 25, 1822. 
 
 On the 27th April, 1806, a call was unanimously given to 
 Martin L. Hurlbert ; a council convened to settle Mm, hut 
 so large a remonstrance was presented from the parish that 
 it was judged inexpedient to proceed. He became an open 
 and firm Unitarian. 
 
 Caleb Hamilton Shearman, a native of Brimfield, Ms., 
 (born 1779) a graduate of Brown university, was ordained at 
 Dover May 6, 1807, and dismissed for immorahty May 7, 
 1812. vx 
 
DOVER. . 323 
 
 Joseph Ward Clary, born in Kowe, Ms., Nov. 21, 1786, 
 graduated Middlebury 1808, theologically educated at An- 
 dover, was ordained May 7, 1812. He was " a good and 
 pious man, a serious and faithful pastor." Dismissed by 
 mutual council Aug. 6, 1828, he died April 13, 1835, and 
 was re-interred at Dover by the parish. His pastorate was 
 eminently profitable. Both doctrinally and mcirally the town 
 measurably recovered from the flood of evil brought in by his 
 immediate predecessors. Up to Mr. Clary's ministry, the 
 history of the First church is the ecclesiastical history of the 
 town. The introduction of manufacturing nc)W increased 
 the population, and other denominations entered. These 
 wiU be noticed farther on. 
 
 In the First Church, Hubbard Win slow succeeded, a na- 
 tive of Williston, Vt., and a graduate of Yale in 1825. He 
 was ordained Dec. 4, 1828. In the midst of a promising re- 
 vival his health failed and he was obliged to leave ; he was 
 dismissed Nov. 30, 1831. During his j^astorate and prior to 
 the settlement of his successor one hundred and seventy four 
 were added to the church, of whom thirty one were Ijy letter. 
 Mr. Winslow settled over Bowdoin street church, Boston, 
 Sept. 26, 1832, from which he was dismissed in 1844. The 
 fifth and present church edifice was dedicated Dec. 30, 1829. 
 
 David Boot, his successor, a native of Piermont, graduated 
 at Middlebury 1816, ordained over the second Presbyterian 
 church in Cincinnati, 0., in 1820, was installed over this 
 church Feb. 6, 1833, and dismissed Sept. 4, 1839. 
 
 Jeremiah Smith Young, a native of Whitestown, N. Y., 
 was ordained Nov. 20, 1839, dismissed on account of ill 
 health Sept. 4, 1843, and has never been since settled. 
 
 Homer Barrows, his successor, born in Wareham, Ms., 
 Dec. 19, 1806, graduated A. C. 1831, educated theologicaUy 
 at Andover, was ordained in Middleborough, Ms., in 1834, 
 was stated supply at Norton 1842 to 1845, was installed at 
 Dover July 9, 18'45j and dismissed July 6, 1852. 
 
 Benjamin Franklin Parsons, nineteenth minister, was born 
 in Wiscasset, Me., June 22, 1820, graduated Bowdoin 1841, 
 was ordained at Watertown, Wis., Jan. 25, 1847, was in- 
 stalled at Waukegan, 111., Nov. 1, 1848, and at Dover Jan. 
 12, 1853. 
 
 The records of the church give no information as to mem- 
 bership earher than 1717. Since that date the admissions 
 from the settlement of one pastor to that of his successor 
 have been as follows : In Mr. Cushing's ministry, from 1717 
 to 1767, by profession 130, by letter 9 ; in Dr. Belknap's, 
 from 1767 to 1787, by profession 38, by letter 5 ; in Mr. 
 
324 STKAFFOED COUNTY. 
 
 Gray's, from 1787 to 1807, by profession (supposed) 32 ; in 
 Mr. Shearman's, from 1807 to 1812 (in part) 5 ; in Mr. Cla- 
 ry's, from 1812 to 1828, by profession 67; in Mr. Winslow's, 
 from 1828 to 1833, by profession 143, by letter 31 ; in Mr. 
 Eoot's, from 1833 to 1839, by profession 126, by letter 39 ; 
 in Mr. Young's, from 1839 to 1845, by profession 149, by let- 
 ter 34 ; in Mr. Barrows', from 1845 to 1853, by profession 
 31, by letter 27. The total therefore in 136 years is, by pro- 
 fession 721, by letter 145 — total 866. The number of infant 
 baptisms under the diiferent ministries were as follows : Mr. 
 Cushing's, (covering, up to 1730, the territory of Somers- 
 "worth also, and for his whole ministry the half way cove- 
 nant,) 1128 ; Dr. Belknap's, 170 ; Mr. Gray's, 59 ; Mr. Shear- 
 man's, no record ; Mr. Clary's, 42 ; Mr. Winslow's, 47; Mr. 
 Eoot's, 46 ; Mr. Young's, 59 ; Mr. Barrows', 21; total in 136 
 years, 1572. The Methodist Episcopal church in Dover was 
 formed in 1824 ; their house was dedicated April 28, 1825, 
 enlarged June 1831 ; the Society was incorporated Jan. 20, 
 1827. The society is large and flourishing. Kev. L. How- 
 ard, pastor. The Universalist Society of Dover and Somers- 
 worth was organized March 23, 1825, re-organized as of Do- 
 ver alone, in 1837; their church edifice was dedicated Dec. 
 8, 1837; their church was publicly recognized Dec. 25, 1838. 
 The First Freewill Baptist church was gathered Sept. 15, 
 1826 ; their first church was dedicated May 20, 1832, and 
 abandoned a few years since ; their jiresent one is the second. 
 The First Unitarian Society was organized Sept. 4, 1827; 
 their first meeting for public worship was held Nov. 4. The 
 church was organized Feb. 17, 1829, and on the next day 
 their edifice was dedicated. P. Connovan is pastor of the 
 Eonian Catholic church. The foundation of their clmrcli 
 was laid May 17, 1828, the house dedicated Sept. 26, 1830; 
 it has since been enlarged to accommodate their growing 
 numbers. St. Thomas (Episcopal) church was organized in 
 the course of services held by Eev. Thomas R. Lambert in 
 1839. Sept. 20th of that year a parish was organized, of 
 eighteen persons. William Horton commenced the regular 
 duties of pastor Dec. 8, 1839, and was instituted rector 
 Jan. 27, 1841 ; he removed in the autumn of 1847. Thomas 
 G. Salter commenced service Dec. 12, 1847, and still offi- 
 ciates. The church was consecrated March 17, 1841. The 
 Wasliington street Freewill Baptist church was organized 
 Feb. 4, 1840 ; the society, April 8, 1840. The church edi- 
 fice was dedicated in 1843. That there were revivals in the 
 earlier history of Dover is unquestionably true, but no re- 
 cords exist of any prior to the ministry of Mr. Clary ; differ- 
 
DOVER. 325 
 
 ent churches have since experienced them, but all arc within 
 the memory of the li^ang, and present no peculiar features. 
 Tlic number of ministers originating in this town has been 
 small. All now known are the following : John Reyner, jr., 
 the seventh minister of the first church, of whom an account 
 has been given : M^illiam Waklron, born in PortsnK mth Nov. 
 4, 1697, a grandson of Maj. Richard Waklron of Dover, grad- 
 uated H, C. in 1717, was the first admission to the clnn-ch in 
 Mr. Cushing's ministry ; he was the first pastor of the new 
 Brick church in Boston, ordained May 22, 1722, and he was 
 the last ordained by the venerable Increase Mather ; he 
 was a man of more than ordinary worth, of finished educa- 
 tion, of stern integrity, of warm afl'ections, of dee]> piety ; 
 "he died," says Cotton Mather, "nobly;" his death took 
 place Sept. 11, 1727 : Reuben Nason, son of John Nason, 
 born about 1778, was fitted for college by Rev. Robert Gray, 
 was settled in Freeport, Me., and was for many years a rep- 
 utable teacher in Gorham, Me. ; he died verv suddenly at 
 Clarkson, N. C, December, 1834: Charles Dame, born in 
 South Berwick, Sept. 12, 1810, is son of Joseph and Anna 
 P. Dame ; was admitted to the First church in Dover, Jnlj 
 18, 1830 ; graduated Bowdoin in 1835, at Andover tlieolog- 
 ical seminary 1838 ; was ordained pastor at Falmouth, Me., 
 May 29, 1839 ; was dismissed Aug. 11, 1853 ; installed at 
 Brentwood, N. H., May 17, 1854, where he now is : John 
 K. Young, born in Dover March 22, 1802, son of Nathaniel 
 and Betsey (Kimball) Young, graduated D. C. 1821, united 
 with the Circular Congregational church in Charleston, S. C, 
 in 1826, graduated Andover theological seminary and was or- 
 dained by the Londonderry Presbytery, 1829 ; was agent for 
 the American Education Society a year or more, was installed 
 pastor at Laconia Nov. 30, 1831, where he now is: Aurin 
 M. Payson was admitted a member of the First church Sept 
 5, 1830, graduated D. C. 1840, is a licentiate of Piscataqua 
 Association, but follows the profession of a teacher : Henry 
 M. Haskell, a son of Ezra Haskell, born in Boston, Ms., May 
 10, 1828, fitted for college under the care of his father, (then 
 and now a resident of Dover,) graduated Yale 1849, united 
 with the college church in 1845, gradirated Yale Divinity 
 school in 1852 ; receiving a call to the British and American 
 Congregational church in St. Petersburg, Russia, he was or- 
 dained in Central church, Boston, March 5, 1855, and left 
 immediately for his field of labor ; after only five months of 
 service he died, greatly lamented, Oct. 31, 1855 ; his dis- 
 ease was t3^hus fever, — a younge^^ brother of the last named 
 graduated at Yale, entered the Episcopal ministry, and died 
 
326 STRAFFORD COUNTY. 
 
 in New York State after a verj- short service : John Colby, 
 born in York, Me., Oct. 6, 1821, was for some years a printer 
 in the em]iloy of the F. W. B. printing establishment in Do- 
 ver ; he united with the First church July 4, 1841, graduated 
 D. C. 1852, and at Andover 1855 ; and was ordained pastor 
 of the Congregational church in Hampton, Oct. .31, 1855 : 
 Elbridge G. Brooks, a well known minister of the Universa- 
 list denomination, originated also in Dover, but we have no 
 dates in reference to him : Charles G. Ames, a former print- 
 er, and a member of the Washington street F. W. B. church, 
 entered the ministry of that denomination since 1850 ; he 
 was founder and is now the successful pastor of the first F. 
 W. B. church in Minnesota, at Minneapolis : Alonzo H. 
 Quint, a native of Barnstead March 22, 1828, graduate of 
 Dartmouth 1846, of Andover 1852, and, Dec. 27, 1853, or- 
 dained at Jamaica Plain, Ms., pastor of the Mather Church. 
 
 DURHAM. 
 
 Rev. Alvan Tobby. 
 
 Durham was settled as early as 1635, but was not sepa- 
 rated from Dover as a township until May 15, 1732. But 
 by agreement with the town its distinct ecclesiastical action 
 commenced in 1651 ; a virtual separation, as a parish, oc- 
 curred in 1675 ; and an unequivocal incorporation was ob- 
 tained May 4, 1716. In 1651 the town of Dover voted to 
 sustain two ministers, one at Dover Neck and one at Oyster 
 Eiver (Durham). A church was built there therefore in 
 1655, and a parsonage in 1656. The same year Rev. Mr. 
 Fletcher became their minister. He remained at Durham 
 but one year, when he left, saying that he was "not minded 
 to stay any longer, but to Prepaer himselfe for old Eng- 
 land." We suppose he is the same man who was afterwards 
 " ejected" in England in 1662, and returned to America; and 
 the one who was afterwards minister at Wells. The difficul- 
 ties between the two parts of Dover, which this arrangement 
 was formed to settle, broke out afresh after his departure, 
 and continued with little intermission, until the vote of the 
 Massachusetts General Court in 1675 authorized the people 
 here to manage their own ecclesiastical affairs. This ena- 
 bled them to hire Mr. John Buss, who had come there in 
 1674, and who became their minister as well as physician. 
 He was here for thirty thresp years. He is said to have died 
 in 1736, at the age of 108. His house was burned, with a 
 
DURHAM. 327 
 
 valuable library, in the destructive attack of the Indians on 
 this place, then known by the name of Oyster Eiver, in 1694. 
 
 Eev. Hugh Adams was settled here and a church formed 
 March 26, 1718, and his ministry continued till 1739, with 
 what success we have no means of knowledge. A verj- 
 unhappy controversy in relation to pecuniary matters arose 
 between him and the town, which was not settled until his 
 death in 1750. He graduated at Cambridge in 1697, at the 
 age of 21. He was ordained in the second parish of Brain- 
 tree, Ms., Sept. 10, 1707, and was settled a second time for 
 a brief period in Chatham on Cape Cod, from which place he 
 was dismissed in 1716, one year before his contract with the 
 Oyster Kiver parish. 
 
 Eev. Nicholas Gilman was the second jiastor. He was a 
 native of Exeter, graduated at Cambridge in 1724, was set- 
 tled in Durham in 1741, and died in 1748. He was a good 
 man, prayerful, conscientious, and had favor with the people. 
 But his ministry was harrassed by a lawsuit, prosecuted 
 against him by his predecessor and defended by the town, 
 A state of fanatical excitement arose also in his time, pro- 
 moted by a man named Woodbury, who proved a worthless 
 character, and " became a vagabond in the earth." Mr. Gril- 
 man was affected by the excitement, and led to such exces- 
 sive labors as " broke the firmness of his constitution, opened 
 the way for consumption, and sent him prematurely, but 
 deeply lamented, to the grave." He was buried at Exeter, 
 and his body carried thither in funeral procession by young 
 men of the town, who requested the pri^dlege of performing 
 this service. 
 
 The third pastor was Eev. John Adams, a nephew of the 
 first. He was a native of Boston, son of Matthew Adams, 
 mentioned by Franklin as having been his benefactor in boy- 
 hood by lending him books. The ministry of John Adams 
 commenced in 1748; but the stipulated" salary of "500 
 pounds old tenor, and the use of the parsonage property, was 
 to commence on the 25th of March, 1749." Probably that 
 was the date of his ordination. He lived in troublous times, 
 was a man of excitable feelings, lively imagination, and un- 
 doubtedly showed superior talents as a writer, and as a speak- 
 er on the impulse of an occasion. Mr. Adams was a physi- 
 cian as well as a minister. He was liable to seasons of ex- 
 treme depression of spirits. When freed from depression 
 and aroused by excitement he is said to have been at times 
 very eloquent. A traditional remark concerning him is : 
 " when out of the pulpit he appeared as if he ought never to 
 go into it ; and in it, he appeared as if he ought never to 
 
328 STRAFFORD COUNTY. 
 
 como out." After a ministry of nearly thirty years he was 
 dismissed Jan. 16, 1778, in consequence of prejudices excited 
 by a false and slanderous attack on his character by a worth- 
 less woman. His ministry was afterwards continued in New- 
 field and other places in Maine. 
 
 As up to this time no records are preserved, there are no 
 means of determining the number of members in the church. 
 Probaljly it was small, not more than 50 ; perhaps at no 
 time half that number. After the dismission of Mr. Adams 
 the church seems to have been in a weak and broken condi- 
 tion. There were but few members, and they perhaps not 
 united in sentiment. Preparatory to the settlement of an- 
 other pastor they renewed their covenant, and adopted a 
 confession of faith, which they do not seem to have liad he- 
 fore. Nine male and ten female members appear to have 
 subscribed the confession and covenant with their own hands. 
 The name of the clerk at the time is not among them ; and 
 probably some others did not sign.. 
 
 Kev. Curtis Coe, the fourth pastor, was ordained Nov. 1, 
 1780. His ministry continued twenty five and a half years, 
 and closed May 1, 1806. Mr. Coe was born at Middletown, 
 Ct., July 21, 1750, graduated at Brown University 1776, 
 and studied theology with Rev. Mr. Benedict of his native 
 town. After his dismission from Durham he resided in New 
 Market, and performed considerable missionary labor in vari- 
 ous parts of the country. He died June 7, 1829, nearly 79 
 years of age. The church, small at the beginning, does not 
 appear to have increased in numbers under his labors. Like 
 his predecessors, he was the minister of the town. And this 
 relation led to much and violent opposition, which resulted 
 in his dismission. He was a good man, rigorous in doctrine 
 and discipline, clear and impressive, perhaps somewhat 
 heavy as a preacher. His ministry does not seem to have 
 been very successful in the addition of members to the 
 church, or the increase of its influence in the community. 
 During Mr. Coe's ministry in 1792 the third house of wor- 
 ship was built by the town, and the expense defrayed by the 
 sale of the pews. It was a large, and for the times and place 
 a costly building. It stood for 56 years, and was taken down 
 in 1848, preparatory to the erection of the present house, 
 which was dedicated Sept. 13, 1849. 
 
 Mr. Coe was the last minister settled and supported by 
 the town. After his dismission, for more than ten years, the 
 church was without a pastor and continually declining. — 
 " No additions were made to the number of communicants 
 from Oct. 30, 1799, to June 22, 1817, a period of almost 
 
DURHAM. 329 
 
 eighteen years. By the vigorous exertions of a nnmljer of 
 the inhabitants, together with the benevolent assistance of 
 the Massachusetts Society for promoting Christian Knowl- 
 edge, and the New Hampshire Missionary Society, provision 
 was made for the sup^iort of a minister ; and on the 18th of 
 June 1817, the Rev. Federal Burt was regularly ordained to 
 the pastoral office in this church." Such is a note in the 
 records by Mr. Burt. There were, at the time of liis settle- 
 ment, only two acting male members in the church, one of 
 whom was almost superannuated, and the other had before 
 removed from the town, but returned to aid in the settle- 
 ment and support of a minister. There were only seven 
 members in all, one of whom was the former jiastor, not 
 resident in town, and another was soon made the subject of 
 discipline, and three were females. Mr. Burt first came to 
 the town in June 1814, as a missionary of the Massachusetts 
 Society for promoting Christian Knowledge. From that time 
 until his ordination, he preached here at intervals, a consider- 
 able portion of the period. He became interested in the peo- 
 ple, and they in him ; and thus the way was prepared for the 
 usefulness of his ministry. 
 
 In connection with his ministry a Congregational society 
 was organized, the Meeting-house was repaired, and a very 
 considerable and increasing influence was exerted in favor of 
 Congregationalism ; old prejudices were allayed, and intelli- 
 gent, evangelical piety was promoted. Additions were made 
 to the church soon after his settlement, and continued from 
 time to time ; but the largest additions were after a revival 
 of rehgion, which followed the meeting of the General Asso- 
 ciation in Durham in 1826. That revival was one of great 
 interest, and moved the Congregational piart of the commu- 
 nity more strongly, perhaps, than ever it was moved before or 
 since. As the fruits, 19 united with the church at one time, 
 13 at another, and five at another. But they were not all 
 good fruit. Five of them have since been excommunicated. 
 
 The revival was greatly promoted by the labors of Rev. 
 Henry Smith of Camden, N. Y. He was a son of Ebene- 
 zer Smith, Esc{. of Durham, and cherished a deep anxiety 
 for the salvation of souls in his native place and the vicinity ; 
 he labored with great zeal, perseverance and success. He 
 was instant in season and out of season, at all times and by 
 all means striving, by the grace of God, to save men from 
 sin and death. In Durham, Newington, Greenland, and 
 other places, his efforts were much blest of God. Mr. Smith 
 was a graduate of Bowdoin college, and studied theology at 
 Andover Seminary. He was eminently a man of prayer, 
 22 
 
330 STRAFFOED COUNTY. 
 
 and devotedness to the service of his Master. He died in 
 Camden, N. Y. in 1828. 
 
 Mr. Burt's ministry was closed by his death, Feb. 9, 1828, 
 having continued a little less than eleven years. In its prog- 
 ress the church increased from seven to about seventy. It 
 was the most prosperous period of its histoiy. Mr. Burt 
 was born in South Hampton, Ms. March 4, 1789. His 
 Christian name was given by his father, from the coincidence 
 of his birth with the organization of the United States gov- 
 ernment under the present Constitution, and the inaugura- 
 tion of President Washington. He graduated at Wilhams 
 college in 1812. He studied theology with Dr. Lyman of 
 Hatfield, Ms. and Dr. Porter of Cat'skill, N. Y. Previous 
 to his settlement in Durham, he preached some weeks and 
 received an invitation to settle at Salisbury, Conn. For sev- 
 eral of the last months of his life, being unable to preach, he 
 was editor of the N. H. Observer then published at Ports- 
 mouth. He was a man of large stature, of a generous, mag- 
 nanimous spirit, of ardent temperament, yet of sound judg- 
 ment. Possessing supterior conversational powers, much abil- 
 ity in extemjDoraneous speaking, and being skillful in adapt- 
 ing himself to people of different classes and conditions, he 
 was naturally a leader among Iris associates, and exerted a 
 great personal influence in the community. His memory is 
 still honored and precious. Dec. 3, 1828, about ten months 
 after the death of Mr. Burt, Rev. Robert Page, who had 
 l)efore been settled at Bradford in this State, was installed 
 the sixth pastor of the church. His ministry was short, but 
 in a good measure useful. The Piscataqua Association had 
 voted to revise their Constitution. One article of the new 
 draft was, that one exercise at each meeting should be a 
 sort of inquiry meeting, calling out the religious experience 
 of each member since the last meeting. The first time that 
 this exercise was introduced was at his house, in 1829 or 
 
 1830. That meeting was followed by some awakening among 
 his people, which resulted in the addition of a number to 
 the church. The Temperance Reform was well commenced 
 under this ministry. Mr. Page was dismissed, from failure 
 of pecuniary support, March 31, 1831. He is well known 
 as a devoted minister of Christ. 
 
 Rev. Alvan Tobey, a native of Wilmington, Vt. April 1, 
 1808, a graduate of Amherst in 1828, and of Andover in 
 
 1831, began to preach in Durham on the first Sabbath in 
 October 1831. The church and society did not then con- 
 sider themselves in a condition to settle a minister. After 
 two years they had gained so much in strength and interest, 
 
FAKMINGTON. 331 
 
 that, with the help of $ 100 from the New Hampshire Mis- 
 sionaiy Society, a settlement was effected, Nov. 20, 1833. — 
 In that two years there was some religious interest, and sev- 
 eral additions were made to the church. And for some 
 years afterwards there were times of seriousness, and, at inter- 
 vals, members were added till the number arose to 83 or 84. 
 But now, for ten or twelve years, the additions have been 
 "few and far between," and the number has declined to less 
 than 60. But the society has gained strength. For about 
 fourteen years now, no missionary aid has been received for 
 the minister's salary. A neat and pleasant house of worship 
 has been built, and was dedicated Sept. 13, 1849. In the 
 new house the congregation is somewhat increased. The 
 Temperance Reform has made much progress ; and the state 
 of morals and intelligence in the community seems to have 
 improved. May the almighty grace of God be granted to 
 revive his work, to save souls from death, and to build up his 
 kingdom here. 
 
 FAKMINGTON. 
 
 ' . Rev. Daniel D. Tappak. 
 
 Farmington was taken from Eochester, and incorporated 
 Dec. 1, 1798. It has enjoyed Congregational preaching at 
 intervals from the date of its incorporation. Missionaries, 
 at times, preached from year to year before a Congregational 
 church existed. In 1819 a Congregational church, consist- 
 ing of eight members, was organized by Rev. James Walker, 
 who officiated here for several years. He was succeeded by 
 Rev. Clement Parker. Rev. Timothy Morgan was the stat- 
 ed supply three or four years. Afterwards, Rev. Joseph 
 Lane preached here about a year and a half Rev. Benj. G. 
 Willey came in 1847, and remained three years. He was 
 succeeded by Mr. R. M. Sargent, who preached about one 
 year. The present minister, Rev. D. D. Tappan, began to 
 preach here, Oct. 24, 1852. 
 
 The whole number of church members from the beginning is 
 68. The number has at no time exceeded 30, till now. The 
 present number is 31. Number of infant baptisms from the 
 first, eight. There is no narsonage. There is a small fund of 
 $300. There was a revival under the ministry of Mr. Walk- 
 er, and some religious interest under that of Mr. Morgan. 
 
 The Freewill Baptists have, more or less, enjoyed 
 preaching for many years. They are now considerably 
 
332 STRAFFORD COUNTY. 
 
 numerous, and have recently established puhHc worship 
 anew — it had been for some time suspended. There are 
 but two places of stated worship, at present, within the lim- 
 its of the town,— the Freewill Baptist and the Congrega- 
 tional. The average attendance in both together does not 
 probably exceed 300. Population of the town not far from 
 1800. There never was a Congregational minister ordained 
 or installed as a pastor here. The church clerk has no rec- 
 ord of the amount annually given to benevolent objects in 
 times past. At present a very commendable spirit of liber- 
 ahty prevails. Strenuous efforts have of late been made to 
 suppress the sale of intoxicating drinks, and the result is 
 highly gratifying. The people are evidently improving.— 
 There is much enterprise here in things secular, and the 
 rehgious prospects brighten. 
 
 GBEAT FALLS. 
 
 Rev. J. B. Thornton. 
 
 Prior to the incorporation of the Great Falls Manufacturing 
 Company, in 1823, the site of the i^resent village of Great 
 Falls was used for farming purposes, and the few inhabitants 
 of the neighborhood were numbered among the parishioners of 
 Kev. Joseph Hilliard, in Berwick, and Kev. Keuben Porter, of 
 the old church in Somersworth. Soon after the settlement of 
 the village commenced, however, religious meetings were hold- 
 en, and Eev. Mr. Porter statedly preached in an unfinished 
 dwelling-house on Bridge street, belonging to the Manufac- 
 turing Company. Meanwhile, measures were being taken for 
 the organization of a church, and on the 16th day of January, 
 1827, "The Piscataqua Association of Ministers" met in 
 the village, approved of the proposed creed and covenant, and 
 estaldished the "First Congregational Church of Great 
 Falls," consisting of eight members. Kev. Mr. Porter con- 
 tinued to preach as "stated supply," during that year, hut 
 early in the next year, Kev. Josiah T. Hawes was ordained 
 — the first settled minister. A meeting of citizens favorable 
 to the purpose, was holden in the village school-house Sept, 
 13, 1827, and " The First Congregational Society of Great 
 Falls" was organized under the new law of the State, relating 
 to Keligious Societies. Arrangements were immediately made 
 for the erection of a suitable house of public worship. The 
 Manufacturing Company generously contributed an appro- 
 priate lot, and $500, and in the following year the church 
 
GREAT B^VLLS. 333 
 
 was completed at a further expense of about $4000. It was 
 dedicated in August 1828, — Rev. Dr. Lyman Beeclier preach- 
 ing the sermon on the occasion. Four rehgious societies, of 
 as many different denominations, were established in the 
 village at about the same time, hence each was small, and 
 all Avere more or less dependent upon foreign assistance. 
 This Society was aided for several years in the support of its 
 pastor, by the Piscataqua Association, the New Hampshire 
 Missionary Society and the Massachusetts Society for the 
 promotion of Christian knowledge ; but its ability gradually 
 increased with its adchtional mnubers ; it soon became inde- 
 pendent. Pastors: — Rev. Reuben Porter, "stated supply" 
 for several years; Rev. Josiali T. Hawes — ordained Jan. 23, 
 1828— dismissed Jan. 6, 1830 ; Rev. William Twining— 
 ordained as an evangelist, Jan. 6, 1830 ; Rev. James A. 
 Smith— ordained April 17, 1832— dismissed July 19, 1837 ; 
 Rev. Alfred Goldsmith— ordained Sept. 13, 1837— dismissed 
 Aug. 24, 1838 ; Rev. John R. Adams — supplied as acting 
 pastor, from Sept. 1838, to Jan. 1841 ; Rev. Samuel Beane 
 —ordained July 7, 1841— dismissed May 24, 1844 ; Rev. 
 James T. McCollom— installed Oct. 2, 1844— dismissed Dec. 
 27, 1853 ; Rev. James B. Thornton — actuig pastor from April 
 11, 1854. 
 
 The Methodists at the present time, have two societies. 
 A Universalist church was early established in the village, 
 but it flourished only for a few years, and its Meeting-house 
 has since been used as a dancing haU. 
 
 The Congregational church has no parsonage and no fund, 
 depending for its support upon the voluntary contribution of 
 its members. The salary of the first pastor was $ 500, of the 
 second $ 550, and there has been a gradual increase correspon- 
 ding to the increase of the society in the number and 
 means of its members, until within three or four years during 
 which the regular salary has been fixed at $ 1000. Upwards 
 of $ 500 are annually given for benevolent purposes. The 
 average attendance upon pubhc worsliip in all the five 
 evangehcal churches is probably not far from 2300 — upwards 
 of one-fifth of which number attend the Congregational 
 church. Five men have been furnished for the ministry. 
 The whole number of persons who have been received into 
 the church is 463. Present members 149— male 42, female 
 107 — infant baptisms from the beginning 50. 
 
 The first general revival of religion in the history of the 
 church occurred in 1830 and '31, when more than 100 names 
 were added to its list of members, and in 1840, under another 
 outpouring of the Spirit, nearly forty others were converted. 
 
334 STRAFFORD COUNTY. 
 
 The. reason why the number of present members is small 
 in Tiew of the whole number of additions and the age of 
 the church is, because this is a manufacturing village, with a 
 population constantly changing, and many have been dismiss- 
 ed and recommended to other churches. The church has 
 never been so large, and in some respects never more 
 prosperous than at the present time. 
 
 LEE. 
 
 There is not now, and has not been for many years, a Con- 
 gregational church here. It has been supposed there never 
 was one. But Hon. Valentine Smith of this town, an aged 
 and well informed man, says " there was a church there 
 many years ago, in his boyhood," (he is over 80 years of 
 age,) " that Eev. Samuel Hutchins was the jiastor, that he 
 became a pauper, dejjendent on the town." There is a reg- 
 ular Baptist church in the town, supplied occasionally with 
 preaching ; and also a Christian Baptist church. At a Meet- 
 ing-house in the south part of the town there is occasional 
 preaching by ministers of diiferent denominations — Chris- 
 tian, Baptist, Methodist, and Second Advent. 
 
 At the Meeting-house on the hill, the most central local- 
 ity for such purposes, there has been Congregational preach- 
 ing during the summer for five years. A licentiate from 
 Andover Seminary has been sent there for the spring vaca- 
 tion by the N. H. Missionary Society; and the supply has 
 been continued through the summer, with a little aid from 
 abroad. Kecently the people have raised a subscription of 
 $300 to obtain the services of Mr. Mason Moore, a licentiate 
 of the last senior class from Andover, for a year, and have 
 applied for aid sufficient to secure the supply. They have a 
 congregation of about 100, and a respectable Sabbath School. 
 
 MADBUEY. 
 
 Anciently a part of Dover, it was sundered from it by an 
 act of incorporation May 31, 1755. Farmer says of the 
 town in 1823 : "No church can with propriety be said to 
 have been established here. In 1758, Kev. Samuel Hyde com- 
 menced preaching, and continued until 1770, but no regnilar 
 
 ♦ Stelch by Rev. A. Tobey. 
 
MILTON. 335 
 
 church was organized. Rev. Eliphaz Chapman officiated 
 from 1771 until 1773; when Eld. Wilham Hooper, a 
 Baptist, formerly of Berwick, commenced preaching and 
 continued several years. There is one Meeting-house in Mad- 
 bury, but no settled minister. There arc a considerable 
 number of Friends in this town belonging to the society at 
 Dover. The inhabitants are mostly industrious agricultur- 
 ahsts ; and as there are neither stores or taverns in town, in- 
 temperance is not frec[uent among them." 
 
 Some forty or fifty years ago there was a Baptist church, 
 of wliich there is, now living, one member, an aged woman, 
 bearing a good Christian character. There is now a 
 Christian Baptist church in town, not supplied with constant, 
 nor verj' frequent preaching. There has been some Method- 
 ist preaching here for a few years past in the summer 
 season. A Sabbath School is maintained by the help of 
 one or two young men from Dover. 
 
 The town is of a wedge form, and so situated that most 
 of the people could, if they would, attend public worship in 
 Durham, Dover and Barrinston, as some of them do. 
 
 MIDDLETON. 
 
 Here, as in very many towns in the State, fewer inhabit- 
 ants are found than there were ten or twenty years ago — 
 there are forty seven less than in 1790. It was incorporated 
 March 4, 1778. Lee and Eochester sent hither the men who 
 made the first settlements. Its highest population was in 
 1790—617 ; it was 476 iu 1850. 
 
 Rev. Nehemiah Ordway, a graduate of Harvard in 1764, 
 was settled here in 1778, and remained only a few years. 
 He was a native of Amesbury, Ms. No evidence has met us 
 that a Congregational church was ever formed here. There 
 is a Freewill Baptist church of 48 members. 
 
 MILTON. 
 
 Rev. James Doldt. 
 
 The early settlers of this town were, generally, a vigorous, 
 intelligent class of persons. They came principally from 
 Dover, Madbury, Rochester and towns in that region, where 
 they had been trained, to a good extent, in the principles of 
 
336 STEAFFOED COUNTY. 
 
 Puritanism, and they brought those principles with them.— 
 They appreciated rehgious institutions, and had an eye early 
 to their establishment among them. This town formerly 
 made a part of Rochester, and, for a year after being separa- 
 ted from it, received the labors of their old pastor Eev. Mr. 
 Haven with deep gratitude. They hailed his regular and 
 occasional visitings with great interest. But they needed 
 more constant, steady labors among them than their old min- 
 ister with a large home parish could give them. They set 
 their faces therefore to having religious institutions among 
 them sejjarate from Rochester. The children wished to set 
 up for themselves in religious, as they had in municipal, 
 matters. With this view, they made strenuous and com- 
 bined efforts to have preaching not furnished from the parent 
 town. In some cases a single individual would pay for a 
 Sabbath's preaching, then his neighbor would do the same. 
 After this they would all unite to get one or more. Beyond 
 this, they sought the aid of the New Hampshire Missionary 
 Society then recently formed. This Society responded to 
 their call, and sent them, among some others, Rev. Curtis 
 Coe formerly pastor of the church in Durham. He super- 
 intended the formation of a church in Milton. Tliis took 
 place Sept. 8, 1815, and it consisted of eight members. After 
 the formation of the church Mr. Coe continued to labor more 
 or less as long as he was able to preach. Following him in 
 the ministry of this place was Rev. Dyer Burge. He con- 
 tinued some twelve months or more among them. Follow- 
 ing him, after no long time. Rev. James Walker came and 
 remained till his death, which took place on the fourth day 
 of Sept. 1826. During his ministry the church was consid- 
 erbly enlarged and strengthened. With Grod's blessing he 
 helped widen and consolidate her foundations. From his 
 death, for six years, there were no regular ministrations of 
 the gospel in the place, only preaching from men occasionally 
 laboring among the people, such as were secured by their 
 united contributions or sent to them from abroad. 
 
 In 1832 Rev. Benjamin Gr. Willey came into this town 
 and labored in the ministry as stated supply till February 
 1846 — nearly fourteen years. During his ministry 100 were 
 received into the church, much the larger jjroportion by pro- 
 fession. He left from no disaffection on his part or on that 
 of the people. A good parsonage was built during his min- 
 istry costing some ten or twelve hundred dollars, likewise 
 two Meeting-houses, one at the Pond and the other at 
 Milton Mills village so called. These were both union 
 houses, not free, one owned by the Congregationalists and 
 
' MILTON. 337 
 
 Metliodists, and the other by Congregationahsts and Cal- 
 vinistic Baptists. Such union in many cases may not he 
 commended, but here it worked well, and under the circum- 
 stances was the best thing that could have been done for the 
 promotion of religion generally. After Mr. Willey, came 
 Rev. Edward F. Abbott and remained in the place as minis- 
 ter till May 10, 1848. He was the first settled pastor the 
 church ever had. He was ordained Aug. 19, 1846, and 
 retired from that relation to this people at the time just 
 named. He left in good and regular standing as a minister. 
 Very soon after Mr. Abbott left. Rev. James Doldt came to 
 this place, and has labored in it in the ministry, as stated 
 supply, ever since. During this time 20 have been added to 
 the church — 10 by profession and 10 by letter. 
 
 The gospel is supported in this town principally by indi- 
 vidual contributions taken up yearly by subscription. There 
 is a ministerial fund in it giving an annual interest of sixty 
 dollars, which is di\dded eqirally among four denominations : 
 Methodists, Calvinistic Baptists, Christian Baptists and Con- 
 gregationahsts. The Congregational parish embraces about 
 two-thirds of the population of the town, and it is believed 
 the average attendance on pubhc worship is about 150. 
 Other denominations have less than this, ranging from 
 fifty to one hundred individuals. This town has never fur- 
 nished a man for the Christian ministry in either of the 
 evangelical denominations contained in it. One young man 
 in this parish once had it in view for some time, but was 
 finally deterred by the lean support and hard service attend- 
 ing it. Sixty have been baptized in infancy since Mr. 
 Willey's ministry commenced, which was in 1832. Before 
 that time there were some, but no record in the church book 
 gives the exact number ; 181 members have been added to 
 the church since its formation. Most of these additions have 
 been the fruit of what may be termed general revivals, though 
 some have come in as the result of scattering mercy drops 
 falling here and there on the fields of Zion. For a course of 
 years some twenty five years ago, there were many interest- 
 ing seasons of revival in this town. Numbers of those we 
 might describe at length, but have place only for one. This 
 was one of rare interest, and such as answers our conception 
 of a model revival. The center of it was in a large school 
 district in the middle of the town. It came in connection 
 with meetings held in a large school-house of the district, 
 continued day after day, though not called protracted meet- 
 ings. The nieetings as they succeeded each other seemed 
 to be demanded by the state of feehng in the first one. — 
 
338 STRAFFORD COUNTY. 
 
 This being full, called for the second, the second for the third, 
 and go on to the end. This marked a distinction between 
 them and many continued meetings, where, without much 
 reference to feeling in commencing, a certain number of days 
 are previously set apart for religious services. As a result of 
 the meetings of which we speak, about thirty were hopefully 
 converted and some ten or twelve family altars reared. Great 
 solemnity and stillness characterized these successive meet- 
 ings. There was nothing which was so obvious to the spec- 
 tator as these. The consequence was, and this we deem 
 a fitting consequence, the conversions in them were deep and 
 thorough. Time, to a large extent, has proved this. Com- 
 pared with forty years ago, the state of things in this town 
 as to general morality, spirit drinking, licentiousness, con- 
 tentions, rude and debasing society in taverns, has greatly 
 improved. 
 
 NEW DUEHAM. 
 
 Eev. Nathaniel Porter, D.D., was ordained here Sept. 8, 
 1773, and removed in 1777. He was settled the next year 
 at Conway. Elder Benjamin Randall, who is regarded as 
 the founder of the Freewill Baptist churches, began his work 
 here in 1780, and organized a church. Some account of him 
 will be found in this work, in the history of New Castle. — 
 There are Freewill Baptist churches here with about 130 
 members. It was incorporated in 1762 with a small popu- 
 lation — but 286 persons are found here in 1775. With all 
 other denominations, the Freewill Baptist churches have oc- 
 casion to bless God for raising up and sending Whitefield out 
 to preach ; their founder's heart was given its peculiar fire, 
 though not its peculiar doctrines, from the blessing of God 
 upon his words of eloquence and love. Eev. Messrs. N. 
 Berry, D. Wedgewood and J. Glines, are ministers here. 
 
 EOCHESTEE. 
 
 Rev. J. C. Seagrave. 
 
 The charter of George I. is dated May 10, 1722, granting 
 to certain petitioners the township of Eochester, provided 
 that "a Meeting-house be built therein for the pubHc wor- 
 ship of God" within four years from the date of the charter. 
 
ROCHESTER. 339 
 
 But, at that period, the howl of the wolf, the yell of the 
 savage, and the report of the huntsman's gam, were the 
 principal sounds that disturbed the silence of these dense 
 swamps and primeval forests. For more than a hundred 
 years after Winichahanat had been settled by the London 
 fish-mongers, the Indian's wigwam was the only human 
 habitation between Dover and Canada. To commence a 
 settlement and clear the lands at this distance from the vil- 
 lage of Cochecho, was an enterprise of no comm(in peril, while 
 a cruel and revengeful enemy continually hovered upon the 
 frontier. It was not therefore till 1728, that the first fami- 
 ly was permanently settled in tliis town. Two years subse- 
 quent to this date the proprietors, induced in part, doubt- 
 less, by the hope of attracting hither a sober and industrious 
 class of citizens, voted to "build a house of worship, forty 
 feet by thirty five, and eighteen feet studs." To defray the 
 expense of its erection, they taxed the owners of whole 
 shares of land three jjounds, and other proprietors in the 
 same proportion. In 1732 they voted to call a minister, 
 and every share was taxed forty shillings per annum for his 
 support. But, for obvious reasons, all these measures to 
 secure an adequate support for a minister could but partial- 
 ly succeed. It required something more than the eflbrts of 
 proprietors, most of them non-resident, to give strength and 
 permanency to gospel institutions in this place. Besides, 
 there was no Missionary Board to send forth a pioneer in 
 the cause of truth, to preach and labor among the early 
 settlers in this wild region. But the men who first made 
 turpentine and potash on Norway Plains and cut down 
 masts and ship-timber on Squamanagonic Hill, the farmers 
 that first built their log cabins and cleared their three acres 
 of tillage land in this town, were the friends of religion, and 
 they determined to give their children an example of fideH- 
 ty to the cause of Christ. 
 
 In the year 1737, the General Assembly of this Province 
 passed "an Act for the better support of the gospel minis- 
 try in Rochester." The preamble of this Act was in part 
 as follows: "Whereas the inhabitants of Rochester, have 
 petitioned this Court, setting forth that they, being about 
 sixty famihes, were without a settled ministry in said town, 
 and in such low circumstances, that they were unable to 
 support the same : Wherefore they prayed that a commit- 
 tee might be appointed by this Court, to call a meeting 
 of the inhabitants of said town, and that a tax might be 
 laid on the non-resident proprietors of land in said town, 
 toward the support of the gospel ministry there." The 
 
340 STRAFFOBD COUNTY. 
 
 above named Act authorized tlie levying of an annual tax 
 of fifteen shillings upon each share of land for "the support 
 or an Orthodox Minister of the gospel." In May of the 
 same year, "</ie Revd. Mr. Amos Main became the settled 
 minister of this town, for whose support a salary of one hun- 
 dred and thirty five pounds "oM tenor" was raised, in addi- 
 tion to the proceeds of the "Parsonage share," which were 
 to be employed perpetually for the benefit of the minister." 
 Mr. Main also came into possession of "the first minister's 
 share" which was his by absolute right according to the 
 provisions of the charter. The town promised also to build 
 him a two-story house forty feet by twenty, wherever and 
 whenever he should request them so to do. There is evidence 
 that the town made ample provision for the support of a 
 minister during the whole of that century. As the curren- 
 cy of the country depreciated in value the stipulated salary 
 was increased in due proj)ortion. Notwithstanding the scar- 
 city of capital and the poverty of almost every family, the 
 pastor was well provided for and the pecuniary obligations 
 of the people to him were sacredly regarded. When life 
 was daily exposed to the Indian's tomahawk ; when notliing 
 but the unparalleled bravery of those pioneers of civilization 
 became the means of preserving the whole settlement from 
 destruction ; when men labored in the fields with their mus- 
 kets at their sides, and went to church armed as if for the 
 battle field, even then the labors of a pastor were valued so 
 highly, that to vote his salary and assess the ministerial tax 
 was the most important item of town business. In 1747, it 
 was voted to raise one hundred and sixty pounds for the support 
 of the gospel, and five pounds for other town purposes. In 
 1742 it was voted at a meeting of the proprietors, that "all 
 the Mill seats should be given for the support of the gospel 
 ministry in the town of Eochester forever ; to be divided 
 equally among them if ever there should be more than one 
 settled minister in town." 
 
 The ministry of Mr. Main continued till his death, which 
 occurred April 5, 1760. He had labored, for twenty three 
 years, for the spiritual good of this flock and apparently with 
 good success. It is not difficult to picture to ourselves this 
 beloved pastor, as he penetrates the remotest bounds of his 
 parLsh, to comfort the afflicted, to speak of Jesus to the 
 dying. We see him threading his way through the narrow 
 defiles leading to some opening in the forest, where a family 
 of his congregation, after incredible labor, have just begun to 
 find the soil cap)able of yielding them a support ; he sits down 
 with them in their log hut to eat wholesome brown bread 
 
EOCHESTER. 341 
 
 and talk over their past experiences of sorrow and of joy, 
 and then to join with tliem in devont praise to God for liis 
 mercy to the infant settlement. Sometimes the theme on 
 every tongue, was the last murder of a much loved fellow 
 citizen, or, the capture of a little hoy hy the Indians. There 
 were times when the bravest trembled at the thought that 
 they and their little ones were daily exposed to death. — 
 There was work enough for a pastor to do in those perilous 
 times, if it were only to visit his widely scattered flock, and 
 inspire them with courage and hojie, on occasions which 
 tried men's souls. It is worthy of notice, that many of the 
 original roads and bridges of this town were petitioned for 
 and built to accommodate the inhabitants in respect to the 
 meeting upon the Sabbath. Their first thought was, not 
 for a road to market, or to a farm in some other section of 
 the town, but for a road to the house of G-od ! 
 
 Mr, Main was followed in the pastorate by the Rev. Sam- 
 uel Hill, who was ordained Nov. 19, 1760. But his death 
 occurring April 19, 1764, the town was without a settled 
 minister till the installation of the Rev. Avery Hall, which 
 occurred Oct. 15, 1766. The ministry of Mr. Hill seems to 
 have been a peaceful and prosperous one, and he died deeply 
 lamented by his people. The latter part of Mr. Hall's min- 
 istry was greatly embittered by fierce contentions among 
 the members of his church and congregation. Numerous 
 charges to the discredit of tlie pastor, whether true or false, 
 led to the organization of two violent, opposing parties, to 
 the calling of an ex parte council, and to many C)ther trans- 
 actions not peculiarly promotive of brotherly kindness and 
 spirituality. At length, the church voted by a majority of 
 07ie to abide by the decision of the council and accepted Mr. 
 HaU's resignation, April 10, 1775. 
 
 On the 10th of January 1776, the Rev. Joseph Haven 
 was settled over the parish, who retained the relation of 
 pastor till his death in 1825. He was for forty nine years 
 the minister of this people, and enjoyed in a remarkable 
 degree the affection of the entire population. He was affa- 
 ble, witty, the friend of the aged and the young alike. The 
 peculiar events and circumstances of the jieriod in wliich he 
 commenced his labors here, the country being already invol- 
 ved in the war of the Revolution, the great length of his 
 ministry, and, above all, his social cpxalities and habits ren- 
 dered him an object of deep interest to almost every person 
 in the parish. He is said to have been Anuinian in his the- 
 ology, and perhaps more partial to the pleasures of pastoral 
 visitation than to those of profound anct protracted study. 
 
342 STRAFFORD COUNTY. 
 
 The half century following the war of the Eevolution was, 
 in many respects, a disastrous one to the interests of rehgion 
 in this place. Intemperance, infidehty and error were grad- 
 ually creeping in, not sparing even some professed followers 
 of Christ. Men lost in a large measure those strict and vir- 
 tuous principles and habits which marked the preceding age. 
 They began lightly to esteem the Scriptures, to desecrate 
 the Sabbath, and in many instances to withdraw utterly from 
 the house of God. The sanctuary which the fathers had 
 built with incredible difficulty, but with strong faith in 
 God ; the house that had been completed in the midst of the 
 war of the Eevolution, and which the fathers had thronged 
 while the country was overwhelmed with misfortune and 
 suffering, was well nigh forsaken now. Eeligion ceased to 
 command the general respect and attention. It partially 
 lost its influence over the customs and conduct of society. — 
 ''The halfway covenant" had begun to bear its hitter, hitter 
 fruits, in this church, and many professed followers of Christ 
 were apparently destitute of yiiid. godliness. 
 
 But there appeared a new and hopeful sign in the midst 
 of the prevailing irreligion and immorality. The labors of 
 some Methodist preachers were blest to the conversion of 
 quite a number of persons in different parts of the town. — 
 The foundations of a church were laid, which is now among 
 the largest and most influential belonging to that denomi- 
 nation in the State. 
 
 In July 1823, Eev. Thomas C. Upham, feeling a deep 
 interest in the spiritual welfare of his native town and of the 
 church to which he belonged, became the associate pastor of 
 this flock. "The half way covenant" was exchanged for 
 one better adapted to the advancement of piety in the 
 church. The sanctuary was once more filled with attentive 
 listeners and devout worshipers. The people of God began 
 to rejoice in the evident tokens of the divine favor, and the 
 restoration of light and salvation to this people. A large 
 number were added to the church, and a foundation laid for 
 what we may hope will yet become the glorious spiritual 
 temple of the Lord. 
 
 Mr. Upham having been called to a professorship in Bow- 
 doin college, in 1825, Eev. Isaac Willey was inducted into 
 the pastoral office here in January 1826. The great evil 
 which he had to encounter, was, the prevailing habit of 
 intemperance. There were many in the church who had 
 not yet begun to feel the common danger resulting from this 
 vice, and there were some among them, whose personal 
 habits brought great dishonor upon the Christian name. 
 
KOCHESTEK. 343 
 
 Intemperance threatened to sweep away the last vestige of 
 morahty and piety still remaining in the hearts of the peo- 
 ple. It was ascertained that more than six thousand dollars 
 were annually expended in this town cdone for intoxiccding 
 drinJis. The Temperance Keform had not yet begun its 
 blessed work in most of the towns of New England. The 
 few who understood the universal danger were praying for a 
 speedy deliverance. At this time the pastor who had just 
 commenced his labors here, was at iirst opposed and defam- 
 ed, in his endeavor to remove intemperance from the church 
 and to maintain the principle of total abstinence. But the 
 good work went on, a wholesome discipline was exercised 
 toward the erring, and soon, the church united in the effort 
 to eradicate so great an evil from the community. In 1826 
 commenced a refreshing outpouring of divine influences 
 among this people. For several years the good work went 
 on, and the church was increased and edified. In 1831, the 
 revival reached the point of deepest influence, and in that 
 year quite a number became the hopeful subjects of grace. 
 In 1828 commenced the work of systematic and thoi-ough 
 Bible distribution in this town and county. About the 
 same time the cause of Foreign Missions also began to awa- 
 ken new interest in the church and congregation. The 
 churches of the conference assumed the responsibility of sus- 
 taining at the Sandwich Islands, a missionary wlio had gone 
 forth from their midst. This devoted and faithful man still 
 lives to labor in that field, sustained no longer by foreign 
 aid, but by the voluntary exertion of those whom he has 
 been instrumental in elevating from the degradation of 
 heathenism, to the honor and blessing of believers in the 
 gospel of Christ. Mr. Willey was dismissed in 1834 to 
 become the Secretary of the New Hampshire Home Mission- 
 ary Society. 
 
 In January 1837 Eev. Edward Cleaveland was installed 
 pastor, but was dismissed in Octolier of the same year, at 
 his own request. Eev. F. V. Pike was called to the pasto- 
 rate in 1839, who continued his labors till September 1841. 
 Eev. J. E. FarweU entered upon his labors here in 1843. — 
 Up to this time the Meeting-house had stood at the foot of 
 the plain upon which the village is Ijuilt. But this year it 
 was moved to a more central and desirable location, thor- 
 oughly repaired, and consecrated anew to the worship of 
 Grod. This took place in August, and at the same time 
 Mr. Farwell was instaUed pastor of the church. He contin- 
 ued his labors here tiU 1852. After enjoying the labors of 
 Eev. G-. Spaulding for a year as stated supply, Eev. J C. 
 
344 STKAFFOED COUNTY. 
 
 Seagrave, the present pastor, be^-an liis ministry among this 
 flock in Dec. 1853, and was installed in May 1854. If the 
 spiritual condition of this church and people be not such as 
 to give just occasion for despondency and alarm, surely it 
 demands the earnest pra3rer of every Christian heart : "0 
 Lord, revive thy work ! " 
 
 KOLLINSFOKD— SALMON FALLS. 
 
 Rev. E. E. Atwater. 
 
 A few persons, inhabitants of the village of Salmon Falls, 
 having assembled Jan. 3, 1846, to consider the expediency of 
 forming an Ecclesiastical Society of the Congregational Or- 
 der, unanimously resolved: "That the interests of rehgion 
 and good morals in our village require the organization of 
 such a Society," and appointed a committee to prepare a 
 constitution. 
 
 At an adjourned meeting Jan. 9, the Society was duly 
 organized. Rev. B. L. Swan was immediately engaged to 
 jireach three months. In April following, Mr. Samuel J. 
 Spaulding was engaged to preach the remainder of the year. 
 In the same month incipient steps were taken towards form- 
 ing a church which was organized May 1, 1846, by an ecclesi- 
 astical council convened for the purpose, adopting a confession 
 of faith and covenant, and consisting of fourteen members. 
 Soon after the organization of the church, John Crosby and 
 Gilman Jaquith were chosen deacons. Mr. Spalding, having 
 received a unanimous invitation to become the pastor of this 
 church and society, was ordained and installed Oct. 28, 1846. 
 The deacons of the church having removed from town, Chas. 
 F. Stewart and Horace Barbour were elected deacons May 5, 
 1848. At a meeting of the church, April 20, 1849, the sub- 
 ject of building a house of worship was considered, and a 
 committee appointed to procure by subscription the funds 
 necessary for the purpose. At a subsequent meeting, a re- 
 port favorable to the enterprise was presented, and a com- 
 mittee appointed to contract for and superintend the erec- 
 tion of the house ; which was completed in the spring of the 
 following year, and dedicated to the worship of God, May 1, 
 1850. Eev. Mr. Spalding having received an invitation to 
 become the pastor of the Whitefield Congregational church 
 in Newburyi^ort, Ms., his pastoral relation to this church and 
 society was dissolved June 9, 1851. Eev. Edward E. Atwa- 
 ter, the present pastor, was installed Feb. 3, 1852. Present 
 number of members, 91. 
 
SOMEBSWOETH. 345 
 
 SOMEESAVORTH. 
 
 Somersworth was settled prior to 1700, being then part 
 of Dover, not however at tlie present center of population, 
 but around the old burying g\-ouud at the junction of the 
 Great Falls Branch with the B. & M. railroad, as well as 
 near Cochecho river, and also, as early as 1634, on the New 
 Hampslaire side of Salmon Falls. Up to 1713 or therea- 
 bouts the inhabitants were obliged to travel from five to 
 eight miles to the church on Dover Neck ; when the new 
 church was erected at Cochecho, the distance was shortened 
 by four miles ; but the increased number of inhabitants ena- 
 bled them to procure an act incorporating them as a distinct 
 parish in 1729-30, when 65 men petitioned for that privi- 
 lege. 
 
 The people had had preaching there as early as 1727 by 
 James Pike, who, Oct. 28, 1730, was ordained pastor of a 
 new church there ; he was born in Newbury, Ms., March 1, 
 1703, graduated H. C. 1725 ; after graduating he taught 
 school in Berwick, Me., just opposite Somersworth, by whicli 
 he was led to preach in the latter place. He remained at 
 Somersworth until his death, March 19, 1792, having 
 preached his last sermon Oct. 31, 1790. " Pie was a faithful 
 servant of Christ," and his ministry was a peaceful one. 
 Nicholas Pike, author of Pike's Arithmetic, was his son. 
 
 The first Meeting-house in this town was erected in 1729, 
 and taken down in 1773. The second Meeting-house was 
 erected in 1772, and consumed by lightning in a violent 
 thunder storm, May 4, 1779. It happened about the mid- 
 dle of the day. Its severity was caused by the junction of 
 two clouds directly over this town ; one of which rose in the 
 N. W. and the other in the S. W. The clouds ran low ; and 
 during the space of half an hour it rained and lightened in- 
 cessantly, accompanied with tremendous peals of thunder. 
 The steeple of the Meeting-house was struck with the light- 
 ning, which passed down by one of the posts of the belfry 
 adjoining the house, and in about an hour it was in ashes. 
 The bell was melted and fell in a state of fusion. The third 
 Meeting-house was erected in 1780. 
 
 Eev. Pearson Thurston was ordained here Feb. 1, 1792, 
 dismissed Dec. 2, 1812, and died Aug. 15, 1819. The house 
 he occupied was burned up in January, 1812, and the church 
 records, communion service, and a social library. 
 
 This church now grew more and more feeble till, in 1827, 
 it had but five members, and in 1829 but two. 
 23 
 
346 
 
 STRAFl'OKD COUNTY. 
 
 In the meantime, G-reat Falls and Eollinsford or Salmon 
 Falls were growing into importance, and in both are now 
 found large and efficient churches, and both are within the 
 limits of the old town of Somersworth. And so the church 
 of Christ is not extinct on this ground. In the two church- 
 es above alluded to, more than 250 members are embraced ; 
 so that, if we take the extinction of this church as evidence 
 of decrease of piety in the town, we greatly err. And in 
 hundreds of cases in New England where there is mourning 
 over the weakening and decay of our churches, were the facts 
 fully known, it would be seen that the numbers emigrating 
 from them are the nucleus of new, perhaps larger churches — 
 if not in the same town — in some distant border of the coun- 
 try. 
 
 STEAFFOKD 
 
 Was disannexed from Barrington and incorporated June 
 17, 1820, with a population of 2144 ; it now has 1920. At 
 that time four Freewill Baptist churches were existing 
 here, thi-ee of them embracing about 100 members each, and 
 the fourth 37 members. These churches now contain about 
 350 members. In this town and in South Barrington six 
 ministers of tliis denomination are found ; also one minister 
 of the Christian denomination, and no others. 
 
Pierrtmack €m\\k. 
 
 ANDOVEK.* 
 
 The early history of the Congregational church in Ando- 
 ver has not been very fully recorded. Eev. Mr. Kingsbury, 
 upon visiting the place in September 1828, found the church 
 formerly established extinct. The venerable pastor and one 
 aged member of the church were still hving. ISfo records nor 
 church documents could be found. The following statements 
 are derived from various sources. 
 
 The first grant of Andover was made in 1746, under the 
 name of New Briton. The tirst inhabitant, Joseph Fellows, 
 moved into town 1761. It received its present name of An- 
 dover 1779. A house for public worship was erected by the 
 proprietors, in which there was occasional preaching. In 
 1782, Oct. 30th, Eev. Josiah Badcock was ordained over a 
 church organized the same day, consisting of six members. 
 The church increased to about 30, and afterwards gradually 
 diminished till 1809, when the pastor was dismissed. After 
 this, there was occasional preaching and the form of a Con- 
 gregational society for many years. For a few years prior to 
 1829 the Congregational people united with other denomi- 
 nations under the name of the Union Society. 
 
 Jan. 13, 1829, a Congrep-ational church was formed con- 
 sistmg of ten members, and Mr. Samuel Kingsbury was set- 
 tled as its pastor. He was dismissed by an ecclesiastical 
 council Jan. 11, 1831. From that time there was but little 
 Congregational preaching till June 25, 1841, when another 
 church was organized by an ecclesiastical council, consisting 
 of 13 members. 
 
 May 23, 1843, Eev. Nathan Howard was ordained pastor 
 of the churches of Andover and Wilmot, and continued to 
 preach one half the time in each town till the year 1849, 
 when the church enjoyed his services for one year wholly. 
 At the commencement of the year 1850, the Congregational 
 society united with other denominations and employed Eev. 
 Eeuben Kimball for two years. In January, 1853, the 
 
 ' * Sketch by Rev. N. Howard. 
 
348 MEERIMACK COUNTY. 
 
 church again employed Eev. Nathan Howard, who served 
 them till the close of the year 1854. 
 
 In 1801 there was a revival among- the Freewill Baptists, 
 and Elijah Watson of that denomination was settled and 
 soon after dismissed. In 1810 great additions were made to 
 their church, under the preaching of Elder Chase. In 1819 
 there was a great excitement among the Christians; 107 were 
 formed into a church ; a second church of this denomination 
 was gathered, 1820, consisting of 25 members, by Elder 
 Young. In 1826 there was another excitement under the 
 preaching of Elder Morrison, and a large number were bap- 
 tized. The Universalist society was formed in 1818. Two 
 Methodist classes were formed here 1828, of 40 members. 
 
 The first house erected in this town for public worship was 
 demolished in 1795. The second house was erected May 3, 
 1796,— dedicated Jan. 5, 1797; the third was erected 1824. 
 At present the Congregational church consists of 23 mem- 
 bers. Additions have been made from time to time since 
 the church was formed in 1841, so that if there had been no 
 removals by death or dismission the church would number 
 86 members. 
 
 BOSCAWEN. 
 
 Rev. Ambrose Smith. 
 
 The earliest settlement of this town was made in 1734, 
 by a colony from Newbury, Ms. Three years after, Mr. 
 Phinehas Stevens, a native of Andover, Ms. and graduate of 
 Harvard college, was employed by the proprietors to preach 
 on their "plantation." The year following, measures were 
 taken to build a Meeting-house — " said house to be built of 
 logs, forty feet long, and as wide as Eumford (Concord) 
 Meeting-house, only two feet higher." 
 
 A chiTrch was organized on the Cambridge platform, and 
 Mr. Stevens was ordained to the pastoral care of the church 
 and people in " Contoocook," Oct. 8, 1740. During his 
 ministry of nearly eighteen years, he appears to have enjoyed 
 the confidence and affection of his people in a high degree, 
 amidst the many trials and lal)ors, privations and dangers of 
 a new settlement in the wilderness. He died suddenly, 
 Jan. 19, 1755. 
 
 After the employment of various persons as stated sup- 
 plies, Mr. Eobie Morrill, a native of Salisbury, Ms. and grad- 
 uate of Harvard college, was invited by the town to become 
 
BOSCAWEN. 349 
 
 their minister, and ordained pastor of the church in Boscaw- 
 en, Dec. 29, 1761. Soon difficulties arose, from tlie " depre- 
 ciation of the vahre of liis salary and the acts of the town 
 in making him an indemnity," which led him to give up his 
 contract and ask a dismission, which took place Dec. 9, 1766. 
 He continued in town, a respected citizen and active mem- 
 ber of the church, until his death at the age of 77. 
 
 At the next annual meeting, the town voted to employ a 
 '■' regular preacher," and Mr. IS'athaniel Merrill, a native of 
 Newbury, Ms., a graduate of Harvard college, after more than 
 a year's labor, was ordained Oct. 19, 1768. The log Meet- 
 ing-house having become much impaired, a new house, vnXh 
 great difficulty, was erected. Several years passed before its 
 completion. Mr. Merrill became a member of the Grafton 
 Presbytery, and the church adopted in part the Presbyterian 
 form of government. This rave much dissatisfaction to the 
 people generally. After a ministry of little more than five 
 years, aware of the general discontent among his charge, he 
 "applied to the Presbytery for a removal, and was removed 
 without the intervention of either the church or town," 
 April 1, 1774. Not long after, a committee of nine was ap- 
 pointed by the town, " to confer with the church in Boscawen 
 about the government and discipline thereof" But the church 
 retained its Presbyterian form foj- more than twenty years. 
 Then it gradually fell into disrrse ; but not until 1828, did 
 the church by a formal vote adopt the Congregational order 
 of discipline. 
 
 The town also chose a committee, soon after the removal 
 of Mr. Merrill, to employ immediately " a gospel preacher 
 of the Congregational order." Different persons were emiiloy- 
 ed as stated supplies, during the six following years, when 
 Mr. Samuel Wood, a native of Mansfield, Conn., but early 
 a resident of Lebanon, and a graduate of Dartmouth college, 
 was invited to settle as minister of the town and pastor of 
 the church. A council was called and he was ordained Oct. 
 17, 1781. For more than half a century his life becomes 
 identified with the history of this church. Soon after his 
 settlement a precious revival of religion was enjoyed, 
 for the first time in Boscawen. Thirty or forty heads of 
 families were gathered into the church, which produced a 
 marked improvement in the state of society. 
 
 For the convenience of those in the west part of the town, 
 a second Meeting-house was built, and the meetings held 
 in it a part of the time. The pews were sold Oct. 17, 1791. 
 About this time, many influences from abroad and at home, 
 contributed to awaken conflicting opinions and passions. 
 
350 MERRIMACK COUNTY. 
 
 which painfully affected the interests of the town and church. 
 Many refused to pay their taxes for the support of the gos- 
 pel. Society became demorahzed, and deeds of violence 
 were frequent. Bridges were taken up, young orchards 
 destroyed, horses killed in the pastures, the houses of indi- 
 viduals assailed and life endangered, school-houses and finally 
 the east Meeting-house were burned. Boscawen, near the 
 close of the last century, was as noted for lawlessness and 
 crime, as it has become since for order, morality and 
 religion. The church was greatly aflicted with trying cases 
 of discipline. Not less than eleven meetings for the pur- 
 pose of settling difticulties are noticed in the records of a 
 single year. And, at a single meeting, four or five different 
 committees were sometimes appointed to labor with offend- 
 ing brethren. The offence most common, was withdrawal 
 from communion, and in many cases from public worship, 
 on account of some grievance. Such absence from the Lord's 
 table, when persisted in, was deemed a reasonable cause for 
 exclusion from the fellowship of the church. 
 
 With much difficulty, a site was fixed upon for a new 
 Meeting-house in the east part of the town, where the pres- 
 ent house stands, at the head of the plain on King street.— 
 The house was built by proprietors, a majority of the town 
 being opposed to this location. On this accovmt, a large 
 proportion of the public money, for the support of preach- 
 ing, was given to the west parish. Other acts were passed 
 by the town, which the people in the east section deemed 
 unjust and oppressive. Mr. Wood took the same view of 
 the case. The number refusing to support the ministry 
 increased. Mr. Wood was requested by the town to ask 
 his dismission. But such action being informal, a special 
 meeting was called Feb. 1, 1802, and it was voted that the 
 tow-n desire Mr. Wood to give up his contract. This he 
 agreed to do on certain conditions, which were accepted. 
 The contract was dissolved — the town, as such, ceased to 
 support the ministry of the gospel. 
 
 Mr. Wood remained pastor of the church ; and a society 
 was soon formed for his support, which a few years after was 
 incorporated. His public services were now confined to the 
 east Meeting-house. Indeed, soon after, a church was organ- 
 ized and a pastor settled in the west part of the town. The 
 first church must at this time have been small and feeble. — 
 Though the moral and religious state of society began to 
 wear a brighter aspect, yet, there seems to have been for 
 many years, no special interest and no large accessions to the 
 church. Some now living remember to have heard Mr. 
 
BOSCAWEN. 351 
 
 Wood repeatedly declare, that the church must soon become 
 extinct unless the Lord should revive his work. Indeed, 
 there were few signs of its visible life and power. Had 
 Mr. Wood's ministry in Boscawen closed then, it might 
 have been called unsuccessful. But strong in faith and hope, 
 he forsook not the field, where now for more than thirty 
 years, he had scattered the seed of sound doctrine, and water- 
 ed it with his tears, seeing little fn;it of his labors. But if 
 •'' the vision tarry, wait for it." The year 1814 passed without 
 a single addition to the church. The next year opened, as 
 cold and cheerless in the spiritual as in the natural world : 
 
 *' The winter season has been sharp, 
 Bui spring shall all its wastes repair." 
 
 The following April, without any manifest cause or special 
 means of grace, commenced a remarkable work of the Spirit. 
 Profane and ungodly sinners, here and there, were suddenly 
 arrested by the most pungent convictions. Crowded assem- 
 bhes of anxious inquirers and young converts gathered fre- 
 quently in different parts of the parish, sometimes with not a 
 person present who had ever before led in social prayer. But 
 the Spirit found them tongues, and taught them to pray. — 
 The silent, powerful agency of the Holy Ghost seemed to 
 do all the work. The interest increased through the spring 
 and summer, and was greatest at the busiest season of the 
 year. In haying and harvesting, the people then had no 
 difficulty in finding time to attend week day meetings, yet, 
 they say their business suffered no injury — their tvork was 
 done better and easier than usual. The revival extended 
 over the town, and abated not until late in the fall. Of the 
 fruits of this rich harvest of souls, 50 persons were added 
 to the church at one time, some of whom still remain pillars 
 in the house of God. During the following year many more 
 united with the church. 
 
 Another revival followed in 1819, still more extensive and 
 remarkable in its visible effects, yet less marked by the noise- 
 less and powerful operation of the Holy Spirit. Special 
 means were used to a greater extent than before. The relig- 
 ious excitement was intense throughout the whole communi- 
 ty. The number of hopeful conversions was very large. 
 Jan. 16, 1820, 76 individuals made a public profession of 
 their faith in Christ, and 138 were added to the church dur- 
 ing the year. 
 
 Well might the favored and rejoicing pastor see, in these 
 events and among his own people, the fulfillment of Isaiah's 
 glorious vision of Zion's future prosperity, and exclaim, 
 " who are these that fly as a cloud, and as doves to their 
 
352 MERRIMACK COUNTY. 
 
 windows !" Kichly rewarded does he now feel for years and 
 tens of years of labor, trial and discouragement. " He tliat 
 goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubt- 
 less come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with 
 him." Thclittle baud ready to perish, becomes in five years 
 a flourishing church of more than 300 members — its greatest 
 number at any one time. Few additions occur from this 
 time until 1827, when some 25 persons united with the 
 church. 
 
 Oct. 17, 1831, Dr. Wood completed a half century of 
 ministerial labor in Boscawen, and noticed the event by ap- 
 propriate services. In view of the past, he adopted the 
 language of Paul for his text : " I was with you in weak- 
 ness, and in fear, and in much trembling." In this dis- 
 course, he stated that he had received into the church by pro- 
 fession 480, of whom 109 had removed their relation, 119 
 had died, 30 had been excommunicated, and 238 remained. 
 
 The following year, Eev. Salmon Bennett was invited to 
 settle as colleague with Dr. Wood, and was installed 
 Dec. 5, 1832. During his ministry of four years, interesting 
 revivals occurred, and considerable additions were made to 
 the church. At lengtli difficulties arose in respect to his 
 salary which induced him to ask a dismission ; and liis con- 
 nection with the church was dissolved Oct. 25, 1836. Dr. 
 Wood now remained sole pastor of the church and society. 
 But his labors were nearly finished. In less than two 
 months, he was removed to the church above. On his last 
 Sabbath, lie preached from the text, " I must work the 
 works of him that sent me, while it is day ; for the night 
 Cometh when no man can work." The next Saturday eve- 
 ning, Dec. 24, the time when he commenced his earthly Sab- 
 baths, he entered into his everlasting rest. His last words 
 were, " All is well." Well, it might be with Mm, who had 
 filled up a life of 84 years in the service of his blessed 
 Redeemer, having learned of Christ from his mother's lips, 
 while fondly leaning his head on her lap, and become hope- 
 fully pious before he was five years old. At the mature age 
 of 24, he left the farm to begin his preparation for the min- 
 istry, and yet enjoyed the privilege of preaching the gospel 
 fifty five years. 
 
 Deep was the interest whiclr he felt in the church, on 
 which he had bestowed his life-long toil and care. He look- 
 ed upon its members as Iris own children. Indeed, they 
 were nearly all his spiritual children. To the society he 
 gave most of his property, which still remains a permanent 
 fund, yielding an annual income of about $ 200. 
 
BOSCAWEN. 353 
 
 The usefulness of Dr. Wood was not confined to his own 
 people. He is said to have titted about 100 students for 
 college, and aided more than GO in their studies for the min- 
 istry. Though caUed, while ho lived, to pass through evil 
 as well as good report, his name is now held in great venera- 
 tion by all classes, both in the town where he resided, and 
 throughout the wide circle of his acrjuaintance. 
 
 The church and society very soon took measures to secure 
 the settlement of another minister ; Rev. Caleb B. Tracy, a 
 graduate of Williams college, and of Andover theological 
 seminary, was invited to become their pastor, and installed 
 Sept. 12, 1837. Interesting revivals occurred duruig his 
 ministry — particularly in the winter of 1842-3, when on one 
 occasion 54 persons united with the church. About this 
 time, a Cahdnistic Bajjtist church was organized, and a 
 Meeting-house built — the first and only society, of other 
 denominations, within the bounds of the east parish. For 
 two or three years past, they have not sustained public wor- 
 ship, and many of them attend meeting at the Congrega- 
 tional church. Not long after, a Congregational church was 
 organized at Fisherville, to which several persons, 13 or more, 
 removed their relation from the First church. DilHculties 
 ha'sdng arisen to interfere with his comfort and usefulness, 
 Mr. Tracy asked a dismission. A mutual council was 
 called, and his connection with the church and society dis- 
 solved, Oct. 29, 1851. Divisions, produced by various causes, 
 prevented united action in the settlement of another minis- 
 ter. For nearly two years the people were without a pastor; 
 but the pulpit was not suffered, for a single Sabbath, to stand 
 unoccupied. 
 
 At length, the church and society united in extending a 
 unanimous call to Rev. Ambrose Smith, a graduate of Dart- 
 mouth, and Andover theological seminary. He was installed 
 June 15, 1853, and is the present pastor. Salary $600. At 
 the present time, a good degree of harmony and external 
 prosperity are enjoyed. An increasing number attend meet- 
 ing on the Sabbath, and much interest is manifested in the 
 preaching of the gospel. The congregation under favorable 
 circumstances exceeds 200, and this is characterized as a 
 church-going people. Yet large numbers habitually neglect 
 public worship — perhaps one half of the whole population of 
 the parish, wliich is about 700. The weekly prayer meeting, 
 and also the monthly church meeting are well sust lined. 
 The Sabbath School is continued summer and winter ; and 
 during the interim of divine service, some 18 or 20 classes 
 are gathered for the study of God's word, composed of all 
 
354 MERRIMACK COUNTY. 
 
 ages, from little children just beginning to lisp the Saviour's 
 name, to veterans in his service of more than four score years. 
 The ladies have a Maternal Association, and also a Female 
 Benevolent society, which hold monthly meetings. The 
 attendance on the latter often exceeds 80, and the avails of 
 their work were about $75 the last year. Collections for 
 benevolent objects are made regularly, on the first Sabbath 
 of every other month. The " old Boards" are generally pre- 
 ferred as the channels of their beneficence — donations the 
 last year, in all, exceeded $ 300. 
 
 This church early took a decided stand in favor of temper- 
 ance. Ill 1832, it was voted, that all who should thereafter 
 be admitted, would be considered as adopting the pledge of 
 total abstinence from the common use of ardent spirits. The 
 church has also declared itself strongly opposed to slavery. 
 In 1843 a resolution was passed "that as a church we will 
 not hold christian fellowship with those, who, for the sake of 
 gain, continue to hold, buy or sell human beings as slaves." 
 It is also printed among the " standing rules" of the church, 
 that " slavery is a sin, against which we, as a church and in- 
 dividuals, are solemnly bound to protest, and exert our influ- 
 ence in all suitable ways." 
 
 This church has sent out some 12 or more of its number 
 to preach the gospel — some among the heathen. More than 
 600 persons have been united to it since its organization, on 
 profession of their faith in Clirist ; and we trust it will be 
 said, of many dwellers in Zion's holy mount, that they were 
 born here. Yet while large numbers have been added from 
 time to time — 218 within the last 25 years — the church has, 
 during this time, decreased from 300 to 145 members — show- 
 ing the necessity of large and constant accessions to church- 
 es, in the country, to keep their numbers good, on account 
 ■of constant removals by death, and especially, of late, by 
 emigration. 
 
 This church is sound in doctrine, and strongly attached to 
 the Abrahamic covenant. Within little more than a year, 
 the present pastor had the privilege of impiressing its seal on 
 15 lambs of the flock. But while we have much reason for 
 thankfulness in view of past blessings and present privileges, 
 we mourn, in common with other churches, the absence of 
 the Holy Spirit, whose powerful influences have been so often 
 felt here in other days. Often is heard in the conference 
 room, the prayer, " Lord, revive us again, as in years past." 
 
BOSCAWEN. 355 
 
 f 
 
 BOSCAWEN WEST. 
 
 Rev. Edwabd Bl'xton. 
 
 In the year 1791, the inhabitants in the westerly part of 
 Boscawen jietitioned for the convenience of a Meeting-house. 
 One was built by the town during that year. The pulpit, 
 at this house, was partly supplied by Rev. Samuel Wood, as 
 minister of the town, till the dissolution of his contract with 
 the town in 1802. After that, it continued to be pretty 
 constantly supplied, by different preachers, the expense being 
 defrayed mostly by private subscriptions. As it was not to 
 be expected that the town would again settle a minister, a 
 considerable number of the people were desirous of adopting 
 some systematic method of providing for the preaching of 
 the gospel. A society, therefore, consisting of GO or 70 
 memliers, was formed, called the Westerly Eeligious Society 
 in Boscawen. 
 
 Soon after, there was a special attention to religion, and 
 a small number became liopefully pious. This event induced 
 the society to express their desire to have the stated preach- 
 ing of the gospel, by extending an invitation and proposals 
 to the Eev. Ebenezer Price, who had for several months been 
 laboring among them, to settle with them in the ministry. 
 Their proposals being conditionally accepted, the Second 
 Congregational Church in Boscawen was formed, Sept. 10th, 
 1804 ; and on the 26th of the same month, united with the 
 religious society in the settlement of Mr. Price as their 
 pastor. 
 
 To this church have been added, by profession, 313 ; by 
 letter, 47, — in all, 370. Removals have Ijeen as follows : by 
 dismission, 117 ; by death, 90 ; by exclusion, 13, leaving in 
 present connection with the church, 58 males and 91 females ; 
 in all, 149 members. Deacons of this church have been 
 elected as follows : In 1805, Benjamin Sweatt and Eliphalet 
 Kilbum. Benjamin Sweatt died Oct, 11, 1810, aged 55. 
 Ehphalet Kilburn died Dec. 11, 1844, aged 92. In 1811, 
 Enoch Little was elected, who died Aprill, 1848, aged 85. 
 In 1825, James Kilburn was elected, who in 1843, removed 
 to Andover. In 1831, George T. Pillsbury was elected, who 
 died May 17, 1836, aged 44. In 1836, Jeremiah Gerrish 
 was elected, who died Oct. 30, 1843, aged 49. In 1843, 
 Enoch Little and Eldad Austin were elected, who continue 
 to tiU their office as deacons of the church. 
 
 Rev. Mr. Price was dismissed from the pastoral charge of 
 this church, May 10, 1837. In his communication to the 
 
356 MERRIMACK COUNTY. 
 
 church asldng his dismission, he says, "Wliereas of late it 
 has appeared to some in and others out of the_ church, that 
 my removal from my pastoral relation is expedient ; and ac- 
 cordingly measures have been taken to effect it ; but iu these 
 movements, to prevent any breach in the church and society, 
 the majority in both have yielded to the wishes of the minor- 
 ity, on certain specific conditions, which have been complied 
 with, expressive of justice and unabated affection to the pas- 
 tor; therefore, in view of these combined efforts of my peo- 
 ple for the insurance of this object, however self-denying in 
 itself, yet, trusting that it is the will of God, I consent to 
 the giving up of my contract with the society, and my pas- 
 toral relation to tJi'e church ; and do hereby ask to be dis- 
 missed from the ministry with you." 
 
 The present pastor and successor of Mr. Price, Kev. Ed- 
 ward Buxton, was installed Dec. 13, 1837. The Sabbath 
 School connected with this church, consisting of children, 
 parents and grand-parents, has been prosperous for many 
 years. Father Price, ever since Ins dismission from the pas- 
 toral charge of the church, has, M'ith unabated affection to 
 the people, served tliem in the capacity of superintendent of 
 their Sabbath Schoid, being now in the 85th year of his age. 
 
 The special rules of this church arc of long standing. One 
 of them is : "Any member of the church, refusing to unite 
 with, or withdrawing from the religious society, in the view 
 of the church is chargeable with a breach of covenant." An- 
 other is : "No one can be admitted into the church without 
 giving the temperance pledge." Another : " There shall he, 
 in future, a standing or permanent committee of the church, 
 composed of the officiating pastor and deacons, and six breth- 
 ren of the church, whose piower shall be merely advisory." 
 
 Tliis church was some\Ahat disturbed by conflicting views 
 on the subject of temperance and slavery. Its position in 
 regard to temperance is shrjwn by its rule on that subject. 
 It has endeavored to maintain a reasonable and scriptural 
 anti-slavery sentiment, with decided disapprobation of rdtra 
 and disorganizing views and means in regard to slavery. 
 
 This church has been blessed with nine revivals of religion, 
 the largest of which are indicated by the following additions 
 to the number of its members : In 1815, were added by pro- 
 fession 36 ; in 1820, 31 ; in 1835, 54 ; in 1843, 32. Bap- 
 tisms have been as follows : children, 413 ; adidts, 89 — in 
 all, 502. 
 
 This church makes annual contributions for most of the 
 objects of Christian benevolence ; especially for Home and 
 Foreign Missions, and for the American Bible and Tract 
 
BRADFORD. 357 
 
 societies. The members of this church htive ever manifested 
 a sacred regard for the doctrines of grace ; in wliich tliey 
 were fully instructed by tlieir tirst, revered pastor. After 
 the articles of their confession of tixith, they say, " For a 
 more full declaration of cwr laith, we refer to the Assembly's 
 Shorter Catechism, which we esteem as a good summary of 
 Christian doctrine, founded on the word of Clod." Tins is a 
 pedo-baptist church. In its covenant, its members ex})rcss- 
 ly engage to dedicate their children to God in bajitism ; and 
 it is believed that God has blessed to them the administra- 
 tion of household baptism, as a means of promoting the sal- 
 vatiiin of their children. 
 
 BOW. 
 
 This town was first granted, May 20, 1727, to Jonathan 
 Wiggin and others ; but its settlement progressed very 
 slowly, for its inhabitants numbered only .3.50 in 1775, forty 
 eight years after it was granted. And no evidence has come 
 before us that a church, of any name, existed here until 
 almost seventy years after the above event. 
 
 The Baptist church in Bow was first organized in 1795 ; 
 and Rev. IBenjamin Sargent was ordained in 1797 over the 
 church and society, where he continued until 1801, when he 
 removed to Pittsfield, and has since died. Rev. Thomas 
 Waterman ministered to the people from 1804 to 1807 ; — 
 during which period a new church had been farmed of Bap- 
 tists and Oongregationalists, and subsequently dissolved, the 
 two denominations forming distinct societies. From 1807 
 to 1815, the Baptist church was without any pastor. July 
 3, 1816, the Baptist church was re-organized ; and on the 
 13th of Feb. 1817, Rev. Henry Veazey was settled. It 
 appears that a church composed of Baptists and Congrega- 
 tionalists once existed here, and out of this sprung one of 
 each order. In 1824, the name of a church in Bow appears 
 on the Minutes of the General Association, with 24 mem- 
 bers. Since that time but little preaching of our order has 
 been enjoyed here. Population in 1850, 1055. 
 
 BRADFORD. 
 
 Rev. C. Russell. 
 
 Soon after the first settlement of this town the people 
 erected a Meeting-house in September 1796, near the center 
 
358 MEfiRIMACK COUNTY. 
 
 of the town, in a very pleasant location. The house was 
 owned principally by the Congregationalists who worshiped 
 therein for seven years, before the formation of a church. — 
 Previous to the settlement of a pastor, the people sat under 
 the ministry of Rev. Benjamin Wood, Rev. Mr. Pearley, 
 Rev. Ahisha Clark, Rev. Messrs. Colton, Stanford, Rolfe, 
 and Moulton. 
 
 A Congregational church was gathered and organized 
 Nov. 24, 180.3, consisting of 15 members. The first deacons 
 were John Brown and David Ingals. The first pastor was 
 the Rev. Lemuel BHss, a graduate of Dartmouth college, 
 and a theological student with the Rev. Samuel Wood of 
 Boscawen. He was ordained over the church March 6, 
 1805, and died July 4, 1814. The number added to the 
 church under the ministry of Mr. Bliss was 15 — 12 by pro- 
 fession and three by letter. The interim from the death of 
 Mr. Bliss to the settlement of the Rev. Robert Page, was 
 filled by the labors of Rev. Hosea Wheeler, Rev. Mr. Lang- 
 ley, and Morse. The church gave Mr. Wheeler a call for 
 settlement ; but tlie council, convened for that purpose, 
 found him more a Calvinist Baptist in sentiment than a 
 Congregationalist, and, therefore, refused to settle him. — 
 They gave Mr. Morse a call, but he declined its acceptance. 
 Four members were added during this interim. 
 
 The next pastor was the Rev. Robert Page who was ordain- 
 ed over the church May 22, 1822, — dismissed April 16, 1828. 
 The numlaer added to the church during the ministry of Mr. 
 Page was 35. He left the church and people, very much 
 against their wishes, under the impression that he might be 
 more useful in some other field of labor. A delinquency in 
 paying his salary, he construed as an indication of want of 
 proper interest in his services. A reformation commenced 
 before he left, which it may be interesting to notice. In the 
 winter of 1826-7 a weekly prayer meeting was commenced at 
 the house of the pastor on Saturday evening, the object of 
 which was to pray for a revival of religion. That meeting was 
 never omittecl. It was always small — sometimes consisting 
 of only one man and the pastor's wife, he himself being from 
 home for an exchange. Every thing looked discouraging. — 
 The next winter, especially, all was dark. Thoughtlessness, 
 neglect of religion, sinful amusements, vice, and opposition 
 to Christians had become alarmingly prevalent. The state 
 of religious feeling in the church was very low. It was the 
 darkest time the pastor had ever seen. It seemed as though 
 every thing good would go down. But in April one and 
 another, who had no hope, began to drop in at the prayer 
 
BRADFORD. 359 
 
 meeting. The hearers began to give more fixed attention 
 to the preaching of the Word. The labors of the minister 
 there were drawing to a close. In that dark time he had 
 asked a dismission, — as in some other cases he has perhaps 
 unnecessarily done — and arrangements had been made for 
 this event. As the time drew near he preached more plain- 
 ly and closely. These facts, combined, had an influence, it 
 may be, in producing a more fixed and inteested attention. 
 The last Sabbath he spent there, several of the youth came 
 to his house, after the pubhc services, to converse with him 
 on the subject of personal religion. AH these became hope- 
 fully pious. That attendance at the prayer meeting was 
 the first indication of any special attention to religion, and 
 that Sabbath inquiry meeting the first public commence- 
 ment of the revival. It rapidly increased. Soon it became 
 general, and it continued about a year. It was the greatest 
 revival ever enjoyed in the place. It is believed there were, 
 in the town, over 100 who hoped they had experienced 
 renewing grace. The late pastor was not privileged to gath- 
 er in the harvest. He had used his influence, in connection 
 with that of some of the church, to induce Kev. Mr. Kent, 
 since that the adventurous pioneer missionary at Gralena, 
 111., to labor among that people. He was with them about 
 one year. He was the reaper. In less than one year 67 
 persons were gathered into the church, of whom two became 
 ministers of the gospel. But the former pastor had the joy 
 of knowing that he had been sowing the seed for six years, 
 and, in the latter part of the time, in four Bible classes, as 
 well as on the Sabbath, — which, together \ni\\ that sown by 
 others before him, at length yielded such a plentiful harvest. 
 The Eev. Orlando Gr. Thatcher was next installed over the 
 church Dec. 2, 1829, and died Aug. 19, 1837. The acces- 
 sion to the church under Mr. Thatcher was 31. The next 
 pastor was the Kev. Stephen Eogers who was installed Dec. 
 20, 1838. Previous to his installation, the Congregational 
 church and people built a new and elegant Meeting-house, 
 near their former one, in which they worsliip at present. — 
 It is famished with a good bell, gallery clock, and means 
 for lighting it. The dedication of the house, and ordination 
 of two deacons, viz. ^emiah Colby, and Silas Abbott, took 
 place on the day of installation. The number gathered into 
 the church during the ministry of Mr. Rogers was 74. His 
 labors closed amidst an undesirable state of feeling. He 
 was dismissed July 22, 1846. Soon after Mr. Rogers' 
 dismission, the church chose, as their pastor, Rev. Daniel 
 G-oodhue, who was ordained May 2, 1848 and dismissed 
 
360 MEEEIMACK COCNTT. 
 
 May 31, 1853. Six were added to the church previous to 
 Ms dismissiou. 
 
 Since Novendjer 1853, the church and people have enjoy- 
 ed the ministerial labors of the Rev. C. Russell. The num- 
 ber of additions to this church since its organization, by 
 profession has been 197, by letter 35 ; in all 232,— excom- 
 municated 22, — the present number is 51. This church has 
 passed through seasons of light and shade. She has enjoyed 
 prosperity and suffered ad'versity ; but the great Shepherd 
 of Israel has never forsaken her, but still continues his 
 loving kindness. His promise, "I will never leave thee, nor 
 forsake thee," is felt to be truly fulfilled. 
 
 "As birds their infant brood protect, 
 
 And spread their wings to shelter Ihein ; 
 
 Thus saith the Lord to his elect, 
 So will I rruard Jerusalem." 
 
 CANTERBURY. 
 
 Rev. Howard Moody. 
 
 The original proprietors of this town considered it a mat- 
 ter of the first importance, that religious institutions should 
 be strictly maintained. Accordingly, their records inform 
 us that they raised money from time to time for the support 
 of the gospel. The first appropriation was made in the year 
 1735. In 1742, they taxed themselves each three shillings 
 and nine2)ence. It appears that the name of the first 
 preacher was James Scales, a graduate of Harvard college 
 in 1733. He was repeatedly chosen town clerk. In 1743 
 we find a vote to give him £ 20 for his ministerial services. 
 In 1750 the town agreed to have constant preaching, until 
 a minister can be settled in the town. The first Meeting- 
 house was built of logs. The same year a thousand acres 
 of land were voted for the use of the ministry. In 1756, the 
 Rev. Robert Cutler received a unanimous call to settle over 
 the people ; he continued to preach in the town for two 
 years, but for some reason was not installed over the people, 
 He was the first settled minister at Epping. He was after- 
 wards installed in Greenwich, Ms., ansllidied there in 1786, 
 aged 64. Mr. Timothy Walker of Concord, who graduated 
 at Harvard college in 1756, was employed a short time. — 
 He afterwards went into civil life, and was a member of the 
 council, and chief justice of the Court of Common Pleas. 
 
 In 1760, Mr. Abiel Foster, a native of Andover, Ms., and 
 a graduate of Harvard college, was invited by the churcli 
 
CANTEEBURY. 361 
 
 and town to become their minister. He was ordained Jan. 
 21, 1761, and continued the pastor of the church till 1779, 
 when, by mutual consent, the connection was dissolved. A 
 number of candidates were employed, to some of whom invi- 
 tations to settle were given, but insurmountable olistacles 
 prevented, until in October 1790, when Mr. Frederick Par- 
 ker was invited by the church, unanimously, to become their 
 pastor. He was ordained Jan. 5, 1791. He was born at 
 Shrewsbury, Ms., May 4, 1762 ; graduated at Harvard in 
 1784, and died, very suddenly, in Canterbury, April 21, 
 1802, in the fortieth year of his age. Two candidates. Rev. 
 Daniel Staniford and Mr. Myrick were employed previous to 
 November 1802. 
 
 During this year the Rev. William Patrick was emyiloyed 
 to preach as a candidate. Mr. Patrick was born in Warren, 
 Ms., July 4, 1773, graduated at AVilliams college September 
 1799; read divinity with the Rev. Charles Baecus, D.D.; 
 was licensed to preach in June 1801 ; ordained and installed 
 pastor of the church in Canterbury, Oct. 26, 1803, and was 
 dismissed, at his own request, Nov. 22, 1843 ; and, on the 
 sa.me day the present pastor. Rev. Howard Moody, was 
 ordained and installed over the church. Mr. Patrick is still 
 Living and active, and has preached half the time in town 
 since his dismission. The first records of the church having 
 been lost, the exact time of its organization is not known. 
 
 The number added to the church during the ministry of 
 Mr. Foster was 33 ; to the settlement of Mr. Parker, six ; 
 during the ministry of Mr. Parker 52 were added. Up to 
 the time of the settlement of the Rev. Mr. Patrick, the 
 church had acted on the half way covenant. One hundred 
 and twenty united in tliis. From the time of the settle- 
 ment of Mr. Patrick, the practice ceased. The whole num- 
 ber of communicants received to the church during the forty 
 years of the pastorate of Mr. Patrick was 353 ; 28 have been 
 received under the present pastor. The church never cujoy- 
 ed a revival before the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Patrick. — 
 During his ministry no less than seven seasons of s]3ccial 
 religious interest were enjoyed. One, which occurred dur- 
 ing the years 1810 and '11, was a very general and powerful . 
 revival ; as the fruits of which, 79 were gathered into the 
 church and a large number was added to the Freewill Bap- 
 tists. The church, within a few years, has been greatly 
 weakened by the deaths of many valuable members and the 
 emigration of others. The church at present numbers about 
 125, many of whom are non-residents. The society has 
 funds accruing from the sale of the parsonage, which a few 
 24 
 
362 MEBKIMACK COUNTY. 
 
 years since was sold by the town, and the avails of the sale, 
 amounting to some $ 1500, were divided equally between the 
 Congregational and Freewill Baptist societies. A legacy of 
 about $2000 was bequeathed by an individual some years 
 ago for the support of Congregational preaching in a section 
 of the town where there is a Union Meeting-house, about 
 seven miles from the Congregational Meeting-house. Two 
 Congregational ministers have been raised in this town. — 
 The average number attending worship with this church 
 may be set down at 150. The spirit of emigration that 
 prevails tries the faith of the church, and it is hoped it will 
 "fail not." We give the following in "father Patrick's" 
 own words : "About the year 1832 a difficulty arose between 
 certain members of the church, belonging to respectable 
 families. Disciplinary steps were taken on both sides, and 
 complaints were laid before the church. A number of 
 church meetings were attended and efforts made in order to 
 bring about a reconciliation, but in vain. As a protracted 
 meeting was appointed, the church came together feeling it 
 their duty to make a decision. A complaint was taken up 
 and the question put, — Is the brother guilty ? and decided 
 in the negative. A deacon of the church then turned to 
 this brother and said, we have exonerated you, do you clear 
 yourself After a moment's pause, he replied, ' No : I know 
 that I was far from possessing a right temper of heart at the 
 time.' The scene instantly changed. Their criminations of 
 others were dropped, and followed by humble confessions of 
 their oivn faults. The whole church seemed to be melted 
 down into a sympathetic union. Tliis was viewed as a pre- 
 lude, and was followed by a revival of religion in the town." 
 Many such facts are with the fathers in the ministry, and 
 they would be worth much if placed on the page of history. 
 No martial achievements are so worthy to be remembered. 
 
 CHICHESTEK. 
 
 Rev. S. M. Elanchard. 
 
 The town did not enjoy the stated ministrations of the 
 gospel before 1791. Votes were often passed to raise money 
 for the support of " Grospel preaching," but there is reason 
 to believe that but few of those sums were actually appropri- 
 ated, since such votes were often re-considered at a subse- 
 quent meeting. During this time, eleven baptisms are re- 
 corded. The date of a church organization does not appear. 
 
CHICHESTER. 363 
 
 but probably it was about this time, for a now religious in- 
 terest was awakened by the arrival of Rev. Josiah Carpenter. 
 A Meeting-house was built. A day of fasting, humiliation 
 and prayer to Almighty God for the Divine " blessing on us 
 in all our undertakings as a Christian people," was observed; 
 and a committee was raised " to call a number of neighbor- 
 ing ministers and churches." And Mr. Carpenter was or- 
 dained. These things occurred in 1791. 
 
 That the town had some just appreciation of the principle 
 of ministerial support, appears from the call given Mr. Car- 
 penter. For the first year he was to receive £50, and each 
 succeeding year an increase of £ 5, until it reached the sum 
 of £ 65, which was to be the stated amount ; one third of the 
 same was to be paid in specie ; the remaining two-thirds in 
 beef, pork, corn, grain, each article to be valued at a fixed 
 rate. Besides this, the town voted to furnish yearly 25 cords 
 of wood, and English hay sufficient to keep one horse, two 
 cows, and six sheep. They also pledged the sum of £55 
 towards building him a house ; £ 15 of which was to be in 
 lumber of various kinds, and £40 in labor. What was the 
 size of the church, or what was the state of religion during 
 the first pastorate, cannot be told, for very few records were 
 kept for 36 years. Mr. Carpenter records the baptism of 
 . about 543 persons, of which number 30 were adults. The 
 passage of what is called the toleration act, repealing the law 
 to raise a tax for rehgion, and bringing into vogue the vol- 
 untary system of supporting the gospel, occasioned the dis- 
 mission of Rev. Mr. Carpenter, July 24, 1827. But the final 
 adjustment of this matter between the parties did little to- 
 wards restoring harmony in the church, since Rev. Mr. Car- 
 penter continued to reside in town, and seems never to have 
 been fully reconciled to the new order of things. It was dur- 
 ing this transition period, which continued some 12 years, 
 that Arminianism obtained a foothold here. Two Freewill 
 Baptist meetings, and a Methodist, were established. The 
 Freewill Baptist societies are extinct, but the Methodists 
 erected a house of worship in 1833, and still live. During 
 the above named period, the church did not grow, either in 
 graces or numbers. 
 
 On Aug. 29, 1832, Rev. Rufus A. Putnam was installed. 
 The next year the old creed was revised, and rules of disci- 
 pline adopted. A Sabbath School, the first in the town, was 
 organized, and the church which had been much depressed 
 now arose to new conquests over the kingdom of darkness. 
 Protracted meetings were held in 1832, 1835 and 1838, each 
 of which were followed by results apparently glorious. Nearly 
 
364 MEREIMACK COUNTY. 
 
 100 persons professed Clirist, as the result of the second 
 and thh-d. In 1838 a new Meeting-house was erected, and 
 dedicated to the worship of the Triune God. But the re- 
 cords show that bad as well as good were gathered into the 
 gospel net, for many were suspended or cut off from the 
 church. But the measures employed to purify the church, 
 especially in connection with the sins of hypocrisy, intemper- 
 ance, and the system of American slavery, were a " rock of 
 offence and a stone of stumbling." Therefore the relation 
 of pastor and people, for want of pecuniary support, was dis- 
 solved by mutual council July 11, 184.3. 
 
 Mr. Charles Willey succeeded as pastor, l)eing ordained 
 Oct. 15, 1845. But, for want of support, was dismissed after 
 a settlement of five years, Dec. 3, 1850. The church had 
 now become reduced hj removals and death, so that for the 
 three following years a blank occurs in the records. Little 
 effort was made to secure a permanent ministry, the rehg- 
 ious education of the youth, and family prayer, had gradually 
 fallen into neglect. 
 
 About 1817, it is said, an addition of 120 persons was made 
 to the church. The number who professed Christ during the 
 ministry of Kev. Mr. Putnam was 117. The number under 
 Rev. Mr. Willey was eight. In 1833 the number of resident 
 church members was 136. In 1855 the number is 76 resi- 
 dent and 34 non-resident members. In ISTovember 1853 the 
 services of Eev. S. M. Blanchard were engaged, who contin- 
 ues to this time to minister the word of life to the people. 
 
 The following description of a meeting on the evening of 
 the Sabbath after a protracted meeting of four days, one of 
 a series through the Association in 1835, will call to mind, 
 among those who were in those days active in Christian labor, 
 many similar " tokens" of God's power and love, all over the 
 land : 
 
 " In the evening a meeting was attended at the Center 
 School house ; at which all inquirers were particularly invited 
 to be present. It is difficult, if not impossible, to conceive 
 of a scene of more solemn and intense interest than was wit- 
 nessed at that meeting. The theme of discourse was — "My 
 Spirit shall not ahvays strive ivith man." The sinner was 
 pressed on the point, that God's Spirit was beyond his con- 
 trol — God had now given it — He might at any moment take 
 it away — eternal death would follow his total withdrawal — 
 Noiv, then, NOW cease to strive with the Spirit — let 
 Him come a Conqueror into your hearts, and be ye converted 
 and saved ! After the discourse was closed, a short prayer 
 was offered for the breathings of the Holy Ghost on dying 
 
CONCOED. 365 
 
 soids. The moment the prayer was ended, a young man, 
 strong in body and mind, yet agonizing under a sense of 
 guilt in the sight of heaven, rushed to'tho desk, seized with 
 a violent grasp the hand of the preacher and implored with 
 a trembling voice prayer in his behalf His whole frame was 
 agitated and literally shook. To the question — ' How do 
 you feel?' he rephed in substance — 'I hardly know, lam 
 greatly distressed.' Prayer was offered, while his hand still 
 grasped that of the suppliant in his behalf During the 
 prayer he became more calm. The awful strugglings and 
 agonies of his soul appeared to cease. A peaceful serenity 
 dwelt on his countenance. After the prayer, he was asked 
 — ' What are your feelings now T he replied — ' I feel much 
 relieved.' 'Are you wiUing to give up all for Christ who 
 died for you — your soul and body and all your eternal inter- 
 ests, and be at his disposal forever.''' ' I think I am.' He 
 sat clown on the step by the desk ; and from that time has 
 appeared to be a new creature, and is now a member of the 
 church. No language can describe the effect produced on 
 the audience by this incident, or rather overruling event of 
 divine pro\ddence. There was breathless stillness, except 
 the beatings of the struggling heart, and the deep sigh which 
 could not be repressed, escaping in unutterable prayer, or 
 bursting from the bosom burdened with a sense of guilt. 
 the indescribable, the inconceivable, the glorious power of 
 the Most High God when he comes by his Spirit to work in 
 men the salvation of their souls ! Angels, we may suppose, 
 were present at that meeting. They gazed on its transac- 
 tions with rapturous emotions. They went up to heaven 
 and reported there that some hearts had given up the con- 
 test with God, and sweetly bowed to the Saviour's dominion. 
 And heaven rejoiced at the blessed news. Yes, some, we 
 humbly trust, submitted on the spot bef jre they left the 
 house — some on their way home lost their burden and walked 
 in the lig'ht of a Redeemer's reconciled countenance — and 
 some during the night ere they retired to rest sought in 
 prayer the forgiveness of sins, and believing in Jesus rejoiced 
 Avith joy unspeakable and full of glory." 
 
 CONCOED. 
 
 First Cuubch.— Rev. N. Bouton, D.D. 
 
 The grant of land which now constitutes the city of Con- 
 cord, was made by the General Court of Massachusetts in 
 
366 MERRIMACK COUNTY. 
 
 1725, under the name of the " Plantation of Penacook."— 
 Among other conditions of the grant, were these : That the 
 lands should be divided into one hundred and three lots ; 
 that one hundred families, able to make a settlement, should 
 be admitted ; each settler be obliged to build a good house 
 for his family within three years ; and that they should 
 completely finish a convenient house for the j^ublic worship 
 of God, within the same term : — Of the one hundred and 
 three lots, one was to be laid out to the right of the "first 
 settled minister," one for a parsonage, and one "for a school 
 forever." 
 
 On these conditions the settlement was commenced, in 
 the spring of 1726, by persons from Andover, Bradford, 
 Haverhill and Salisbury, in Massachusetts. These were all 
 men selected by a committee of the Great and General Court, 
 as men of substance and character, and able "to bring for- 
 ward " the settlement. Some of them were men of the first 
 respectability in those towns — three of the original proprie- 
 tors were ministers of the gospel, viz.: Eev. Samuel Phillips 
 of Andover — fi^ther of John, and grandfather of Samuel, 
 the founders of the academies at Exeter and Andover ; Eev. 
 Bezaleel Toppan, and Piev. Enoch Cof&n of Newbury. 
 Almost one-fourth of the settlers were from Andover, mostly 
 descendants of the Puritans, and all of them were united in 
 their views of religious doctrine, of church order and govern- 
 ment. AVhen surveyors and chainmen, with others, came 
 to lay out the land, Eev. Enoch Coffin accompanied them, 
 as chaplain, and preached twice on the Sabbath, in a tent 
 pitched on what is known as Sugar Ball plain. 
 
 The first Meeting-house was built of logs, 40 feet long 
 and 25 in breadth, and the first minister Eev. Timothy 
 Walker of Woburn, a graduate of Harvard college, was 
 ordained pastor, on the 18th Nov. 1730, (0. S.) and the 
 church, of eight male members, was organized the same day. 
 The ordination sermon was preached by the Eev. John Bar- 
 nard, of North Andover, from Prov. 9 : 1,2, 3. Eev. Samuel 
 Phillips gave the charge, and Eev. John Brown of Haver- 
 hill gave to the pastor and church the Eight Hand of Fel- 
 lowship. In his sermon the Eev. Mr. Barnard remarked, — 
 "There is ihis ^^couliar circumstance in your settlement, 
 that it is in a place where Satan some years ago had his seat, 
 and the Devil was wont to be invocaied by forsaken Sava- 
 ges ; a place which was the rendezvotis and head-quarters 
 of our Indian enemies." The members of the church — Mr. 
 Walker being one — when organized, adopted and subscribed 
 a covenant, in which they did "solemnly devote and dedi- 
 
COKCORD. 367 
 
 cate themselves to the Lord Jehovah, who is Father, Son 
 and Holy Ghost," and did "promise by divine grace to 
 endeavor to observe all things whatsoever Clod in his Word 
 has commanded." 
 
 For about twenty years, public worsliip was held in the 
 log Meeting-house — which also, during the period of trou- 
 bles with the Indians, served the purpose of a fort : the 
 people carried their guns to meeting, stacked them in the 
 entry with a sentinel to watch, while the pastor, who it is 
 said had the best gun in the parish, carried it into tlie pul- 
 pit and proceeded with the order of worship. Mr. Walker's 
 salary was fixed at <C 100, to be increased 40s. a year till it 
 amounted to £120, which in the currenc}^ of that period 
 was equal to about $156. Besides, he improved the ''par- 
 sonage," and had in his own right, the lot laid out to the 
 first minister. The salary with a few exceptions was 
 promptly paid every year, till the close of his ministry. He 
 continued in the ministry as pastor of the church, fifty two 
 years. He was a man of native good sense, sound judg- 
 ment, of agreeable manners and exemplary Hfe. He was 
 "orthodox," — that is, received the Westminster Assembly's 
 Catechism and the Cambridge Platform ; but in his advanc- 
 ed age he was opposed to what were called "Ne2v Lights," 
 and claimed to be a "moderate Calvinist." He preached 
 twice on the Sabbath, and the Preparatory Lecture once a 
 month in the summer, and once in two months in the win- 
 ter. Under his ministry a large portion of the people 
 became members of the church, either in full, or "owned the 
 covenant" and had their children baptized. The latter mode 
 was the more common. The salutary influence which he 
 exerted during his long ministry, justly entitles him to the 
 appellation of FafJter of the Town. He was greatly vene- 
 rated, and his memory is precious to this day. He died sud- 
 denly on the morning of the Sabbath, of apoplexy, Sept. 1, 
 1782, in the 78th year of his age, and 52d of his ministry.* 
 
 After a trial of several candidates, the Kev. Israel Evans, 
 a graduate of Princeton college, N. J., and a chaplain in the 
 army during the Kevolutionary war, received a call both from 
 the church and town, and was installed pastor, July 1, 1789. 
 The installation sermon was preached by Kev. Joseph Eck- 
 ley of the Old South Church, Boston, — a copy of which in 
 manuscript is still preserved, in the New Hampshire Histor- 
 ical Society. Eev. Mr. Evans was a gentleman of polished 
 and dignified manners, a fluent and sometimes eloquent 
 
 * For a full account of his character and labors, see Rev. Dr. Bouton's History 
 of Concord. 
 
368 MERRIMACK COUNTY. 
 
 speaker, and evangelical in doctrine ; but his habits and 
 style of living were so different from those of his predecessor 
 and of his parishioners, that the connection did not prove 
 either very happy or lasting. He tendered a resignation of 
 his charge, which was accepted by the town, and his pasto- 
 ral relation was dissolved by a council July 1, 1797, after a 
 ministry of eight years. Mr. Evans' wife was a sister of the 
 late Col. Wm. A. Kent of Concord. By will, he left the 
 cliief part of his property — about $ 4000, on the decease of 
 his widow, — to Dartmouth college, to endow a Professorship 
 of Oratory. He was a zealous patriot and a devoted friend 
 and admirer of Washington. In his last sickness he was 
 visited by his successor'in office, the Eev. Dr. McFarland, 
 who in prayer for Mr. Evans, asked " that, after the trials 
 of this life were over, he might sit down with Abraham, 
 Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of God," to which Mr. 
 Evans audibly added, "and with Washington too." He 
 died March 9, 1807, in the sixtieth year of his age. 
 
 The Kev. Asa McFarland, a native of Worcester, Ms,, 
 and a graduate of Dartmouth college in 1793 — having been 
 previously employed in Concord, as a teacher of music — was 
 immediately engaged to preach as a candidate, and received 
 a call to settle. To the "call" 22 persons entered their 
 dissent upon the town records, "on account of the salary," 
 which was $ 350 yearly, with the use of the parsonage ! — 
 Mr. McFarland was ordained March 7, 1798. The sermon 
 on the occasion was preached by Eev. John Smith, professor 
 in Dartmouth college. In 1809, Mr. McFarland was chosen 
 a Trustee of the college ; in 1811 President of the New 
 Hampshire Missionary Society, of which he was one of the 
 founders ; in 1812, he received the degree of Doctor of Divin- 
 ity from Yale college ; and for twenty seven years was clerk 
 of the Pastoral Convention of this State. Dr. McFarland 
 possessed a vigorous and active mind ; was discriminating 
 and sound in judgment ; his sermons were instructive, plain, 
 direct, and delivered with a full, powerful, yet agreeable 
 voice. His labors in the ministry \vqyq very arduous, and 
 the fruits abundant. He published a volume entitled 
 "View of Heresies," containing 276 pages, (12 mo.) ; sis- 
 teen sermons, and an oration before the Phi Beta Kappa 
 of Dartmouth college. He left two thousand and fifty four 
 manuscript sermons — which made an average of seventy six 
 a year. 
 
 Under his ministry the church was greatly increased, par- 
 ticularly, by means of three extensive revivals ; the first in 
 the years 1811-12, in which time 95 were added ; the second 
 
CONCORD. 369 
 
 ia 1816, when 108 were added ; and the third in 1820, when 
 85 were added. Previous to the ministrj- of Dr. MeFarland 
 no artich's of faith, but only a covenant, had been used, in 
 the admission of members. In 1807, he drew up twelve 
 articles, embracing the substance of the orthodox belief, 
 which were subsequently used in the admission of members, 
 with consent of the church, thoiigh never adopted by vote. 
 He never practiced or allowed the "half way covenant," 
 except to baptize the children of those who were already 
 connected with the church on that principle. 
 
 On accoiuit of <rrowinfr infirmities, Dr. McFarland thoue;ht 
 the best interests of the church and society would be pro- 
 moted by resigning his charge ; which he accordingly did ; 
 and was dismissed from his pastoral relation to the church, 
 by the same council that ordained his successor, March 23, 
 1825. From this period — retired from public labors, 
 entertaining the most friendly relations with the church and 
 his successor — his health and vigor more rapidly declined. — 
 From December 182.3, to Februarj^ 1827, he ex})erienced 
 seven strokes of paralysis — all except one on the Sabbath. — 
 He exi^ired on the morning of the Sabbath, Feb. 18, 1827, 
 in the 58th year of his age, and 27th of his ministry. His 
 funeral sermon was preached l)y Piev. Walter Harris, D.D. 
 of Dunbarton, from Heb. 9 : 27. 
 
 Before and during this ministry the town constituted the 
 parish ; the salary was assessed and collected as a part of 
 the town expenses — under the name of the Pulpit Tax. — 
 Hitherto also the inhabitants of the town had remained 
 almost entirely united in their religious views. Under the 
 ministry of Rev. Mr. Walker, only two families are known 
 to have separated from the parish. In 1803 a " Society of 
 Friends" was gathered, and a small Meeting-house built; 
 in 1817 an Episcopal society was formed under the name of 
 St. Thomas' Chapel, which supported worship till 1823 ; in 
 1818, a Baptist church was organized of five males and nine 
 females, and there was occasional preaching in town by 
 Methodist preachers, about the same time. 
 
 Agreeably to a new law of the State, the First Conrjrega- 
 tional Society was formed July 29, 1824, which society, 
 soon after its organization, consisted of 223 taxable mem- 
 bers, embracing the names of nearly all the heads of families 
 descended from the original settlers. Dec. 24, 1824, the 
 church presented an unanimous call to the Rev. Nathaniel 
 Bouton, a native of Norwalk, Conn., graduate of Yale col- 
 lege, 1821, and of Andover theological seminary, 1824, — 
 who had preached seven Sabbaths as a candidate — to settle 
 
370 MERKIMACK COUNTY. 
 
 as their pastor ; with this call the society unanimously con- 
 curred Dec. 30, and he was ordained March 23, 1825. The 
 Eev. Justyn Edwards, D.D. of Andover, preached the ser- 
 mon, from 2 Cor. 5 : 17. Under the ministry of the present 
 pastor there have been repeated "seasons of refreshing" 
 from the presence of the Lord, — the most precious of which 
 was in connection with the meeting of the General Associa- 
 tion, in September 1831. Many and fervent prayers for the 
 Divine blessing preceded the meeting. On the first day, 
 the impression made by the public exercises was higldy 
 salutary and hopeful ; on the second, more deep and solemn ; 
 on the third, tears flowed abundantly from many eyes. On 
 the afternoon of the third day, the Lord's Supper was 
 administered to about 850 communicants, occupying every 
 seat on the lower floor of the old North Church and benches 
 in the aisles ; while the galleries were crowded with non- 
 communicants, for the most part standing, but with silent 
 and tearful emotion, looliing on the solemn scene below, 
 and listening to the affecting appeals which were addressed 
 to them. Many afterwards said ^Hhat the scene was to them 
 like the day of judgment." In the evening Eev. Joel Fiske, 
 then of New Haven, Vt., preached from the text John 7: 
 37 — "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink." 
 Towards the close of the sermon the preacher most patheti- 
 cally urged sinners then to come and give themselves to 
 Christ ; one, a leading man of the town, rose, went forward, 
 and kneeling in front of the pulpit, asked for p)rayers, — 
 whereupon the pastor said, "an opportunity is now given 
 for all who desire prayers, to come forward," — when persons 
 seated in every part of the house, below and in the gallery, 
 moved, as by a spontaneous impulse, towards the broad aisle 
 of the church, and filled the entire space from the pulpit to 
 the front door ! Then the "glory of the Lord filled the 
 house." Ministers and Christian brethren stood in joyfiil 
 wonder at the sight. After prayer and a few words of 
 exhortation, the meeting closed ; and all, awed and subdued 
 by the power of the scene, retired to their homes, not to 
 sleep, but to converse, and praise and pray. The great work 
 of God's spirit, thus begun, rapidly advanced ; a general 
 religious interest pervaded the town, which continued tiU 
 the next spring — the result was the addition of 101 mem- 
 bers to the church, embracing many heads of families as well 
 as youth. 
 
 In 1834, a protracted meeting of three days was held, 
 during which two or three sermons were preached each day ; 
 accompanied with earnest exhortations and prayers ; the 
 
CONCORD. 371 
 
 fruit of this was an addition of 54 members. Similar meet- 
 ings, of longer continuance, were held in 1836 and in 1842, 
 which were also followed with highly beneticial results. 
 
 In consequence of the growth of the town in population, 
 many and great changes have taken place in religious or- 
 der and sentiment, since 1825. Besides the rise of other 
 religious denominations — Unitarian, Episcopal, Universalist, 
 and Freewill Baptist — the First Congregational chuj-ch and 
 society has been dinded so as to form, at the present time, 
 four churches and societies, each with its pastor, all harmo- 
 niously united in doctrine and walking in fellowship : The 
 First church, in 1832, consisted of 527 members, viz. 166 
 males and 361 females. In 1833, 88 of these were dismissed 
 to constitute the West Congregational church. In 1837, 67 
 members were dismissed and recommended to constitute the 
 South Congregational church ; and in 1842, 44 members 
 were dismissed and recommended to organize the East Con- 
 gregational church. The action of the First church in these 
 several cases was taicmimous. After all these changes, the 
 First church consists at this time of 260 members — 70 males 
 and 190 females. In the fall of 1842 a new Meeting-house 
 was built for the use of the society, at a cost of about $6600 
 — to which an addition has since been made at an expense 
 of about $ 1600 ; the house is very commodious, and will seat 
 about 650 ; the average attendance is not flir from 400. 
 
 It is interesting to add, that from the first organization 
 of the church till the present time, there has never been any 
 difficulty or misunderstanding between the pastor and 
 church, or between the pastor and parish or society, or be- 
 tween the church and society, which has required an ecclesi- 
 astical council to settle ; and no council has ever been called 
 by the First church, except to settle and dismiss a minister 
 according to Congregational usage. 
 
 It is not known that public worship has ever been sus- 
 pended even for one Sabbath since the ordination of the first 
 minister in 1730 ; and there have been only seven years in 
 which the church has been destitute of a j^stor. In the 
 last thirty years only three male members have asked to be 
 dismissed to other denominations. 
 
 Members at the organization of the churcli, 8 ; added un- 
 der Eev. Mr. Walker, 95 ; under Kev. Mr. Evans, 124 ; un- 
 der Rev. Dr. McFarland, 429 ; under Rev. Dr. Bouton, 649 ; 
 total, 1350. 
 
 Rev. Mr. Walker baptized about all in the parish ; Rev. 
 Mr. Evans, (imperfect record,) gives 123 ; Rev. Dr. McFar- 
 land, 734; Eev. Dr. Bouton, 595; total, 1452. 
 
372 MERRIMACK COUNTY. 
 
 Members of the First church who have become ministers 
 of the gospel are the followine; : James Scales, admitted 
 1736 / ordained first minister of Hopkinton, deceased ; Tim- 
 othy Walker, jr., licensed 1759, not settled, deceased ; Eph- 
 raim Abbot, admitted 1802, ordained at Greenland ; George 
 W. Hough, admitted 1807, Baptist missionary in Burmah, 
 deceased ; David Kimball, admitted 1811, now at Hanover, 
 N. H. ; James Walker, admitted 1811, died at Milton, 1826 ; 
 Joshua T. Kussell, admitted 1811, died in Mississippi ; Jer- 
 emiah Glines, admitted 1812, settled at Lunenburg, Yt. ; 
 Samuel G. Tenney, admitted 1816, once settled at Lyndon, 
 Vt.; William Clark, admitted 1816, agent of the A. B. C. 
 F. M. ; Henry Wood, admitted 1816, consul at Beirut, Sy- 
 ria; Moses Kimball, admitted 1816, now at Weathersfield, 
 Vt. ; Henry S. G. French, admitted 1826, missionary at 
 Siam, deceased ; florace Herrick, admitted 1828, once set- 
 tled at Fitzwilliam ; John LeBosquet, admitted 1831, at 
 Greenfield ; Luther Farnum, admitted 1832, resident in 
 Boston ; Ezra E. Adams, admitted 1832, settled at Nashua; 
 William A. Patten, admitted 1833, late pastor at Deerfield ; 
 Ezekiel Dow, admitted 1843, preacher at Monument, Ms. 
 
 "Z/Hto thee, God, do ive give thanks; unto thee do we 
 give thanks : for that thy name is near, thy toondroits 
 ivorks declare." 
 
 CONCORD WEST. 
 
 Rev. A. P. Tenney. 
 
 In the spring of 1832, several individuals residing in the 
 north west part of Concord, for their better accommodation 
 in the public worship of God, and with the full concurrence 
 of the First church and society of which several of them were 
 members, formed themselves into a religious society, and 
 agreed to build a house of worship. A neat and commo- 
 dious house was completed, and, in January 1833, was ded- 
 icated to Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. 
 
 The pulpit was supplied, chiefly by Dr. Harris of Dun- 
 barton, until the first Sabbath in Marcli, when the present 
 pastor began his labors as a candidate for installation. — 
 April 23, in the forenoon, eighty nine members, — twenty 
 seven males, and sixty two females, who had been dismissed 
 for the purpose from the First church, — were duly organized 
 into a new church. In the afternoon of the same day, Eev. 
 Asa P. Tenney was installed as their pastor. The Articles 
 of Faith adopted by the church were similar to those 
 
CONCORD. 373 
 
 generally used by Ortliodox Congregational clmrclics in 
 New England. May 9, brethren Abial Rolfe and Ira Rowell 
 were elected deacons. Having previously served in the same 
 otSce in the First church, they were not re-ordained Dea. 
 Rolfe was removed from the church militant Feb. 19, 1840. 
 He was a man of rare excellence, and of great usefulness. 
 His death, while yet in the vigor of his age, was very gen- 
 erally and sincerely lamented. August 15, brother Hazen 
 Runnels was elected to the office of deacon in place of Dea. 
 Rolfe, and, at a subsequent meeting, was solemnly ordained. 
 
 The whole numlier added to this church since its organi- 
 zation is 263, making a total of 3.52 members. Of the addi- 
 tions 52 were by letter, and 211 on profession of their faith. 
 The present irumber is 202, including non-resident members. 
 Of the 161 removals, 18 were dismissed to be organized, with 
 others, into a sister church at Fisherville — a village which 
 has sprung up within a few years on the irorthern b(irder of 
 this parish. Of the whole number received 69 only were 
 baptized, the others having been baptized in infancy — an 
 ordinance that is prized and generally observed by the church. 
 The additions have, in great part, been the fruit of ^e^^vals, 
 as will be seen by the numbers received to the fellowship 
 of the church in specific years, as follows : In 1833, 28 ; in 
 1834, 30 ; in 1835, 13 ; in 1836, 8 ; in 1837, 9 ; in 1838, 
 36 ; in 1839, 2 ; in 1841, 9 ; in 1842, 13 ; in 1843, .53 ; in 
 1844, 6 ; in 1845, 7 ; in 1846, 3 ; in 1847, 1 ; in 1848, 2 ; in 
 1849, 2 ; in 1850, 1 ; in 1851, 8 ; in 1852, 1 ; in 1853, 1 ; 
 in 1854, 3 ; in 1855, 22. 
 
 The church was organized amid the influences of reviving 
 grace — several conversions having occurred before the organ- 
 ization. And, from the above notice of additions, it appears 
 that special divine influence was enjoyed with little interrup- 
 tion for several years. The most general and powerful work 
 of grace, which the church has ever enjoyed, commenced 
 early in the autumn of 1842, and continued through most 
 of the following winter. As the fruit of it, nearly eighty 
 persons expressed hope. Most of the converts were young, 
 and what is unusual, more than half of them were males. 
 Of those added to the church nine were from one family, 
 near relatives of good Deacon Rolfe. The revivals which 
 this church has enjoyed, have generally been gradual and 
 noiseless, "like leaven which a woman took and hid in three 
 measures of meal." That they may prove as all-pervading 
 and permanent in their effects, should be the desire of all 
 hearts. The ordinary means of grace have been chiefly 
 relied on. Protracted meetings were occasionally held, not, 
 
374 MEKRIMACK COUNTY. 
 
 however, for the purpose of awaking a shimbering church 
 and a careless world, hut, for the purpose of deepening and 
 extending religious sensibilities already more or less active. 
 The church were, formerly, more wont, than now, to hold 
 special seasons of fasting and prayer. They have, some 
 times, had something like " Class meetings," conducted by 
 the pastor at private houses in the different school districts 
 — church members and inquirers only attending. A fre- 
 quent means has been, general visitation by committees from 
 the church. But whatever means have been employed, it is 
 acknowledged : " Power only bclongeth unto God." Upon 
 the general harmony that has prevailed among the member- 
 ship, and upon all the useful results of this organization 
 may appropriately be inscribed : " Hitherto the Lord hath 
 helped us." 
 
 COKGOKD. 
 
 SoL-TU CiiDHcu.— Rev. n. E. Paekeb. 
 
 The South Congregational Church, Concord, was organized 
 Feb. 1, 1837, at the time of the declication of their present 
 house of worship, and comprised at the time of its organiza- 
 tion sixty seven members who were regularly dismissed, for 
 this purpose, from the First Church. Since that period, to 
 the close of 1854, there have been added two hundred and two 
 persons by letter, and one hundred and fifty eight by profess- 
 ion, the aggregate in 1855 being two hundred and eighty five. 
 Whole number 427. During the current year 29 have been 
 added to its numbers — 19 by profession, and 10 by letter. 
 
 The church has enjoyed one interesting season of revival 
 during its history thus far ; it occurred in the year 1842, — 
 and there has been some increased interest during a part of 
 the past year. 
 
 Eev. Daniel J. Noyes was the first pastor of the church ; 
 settled May 2, 1837,— dismissed Oct. 10, 1849, to take the 
 theological professorship in Dartmouth college. A strong 
 attachment existed between him and his people. His min- 
 istry was a successfid and happy one. The meeting of the 
 pastor and the souls he won, by the grace of God, will be joy- 
 ful to them, and will bring eternal ^iraise to Christ. 
 
 Eev. Henry E. Parker, the present pastor, was installed 
 May 14, 1851, with a salary of f 1000. He has occasion for 
 grateful acknowledgments for the smiles of the Head of the 
 church upon him in his work. The South church has a great 
 responsibility, in connection with its sister churches, in this 
 central point of influence in our State. 
 
CONCORD. 375 
 
 CONCORD EAST. 
 
 Rev. H. A. Kendall. 
 
 This church Wcas organized March 30, 1842, and consisted 
 of 42 members, who were dismissed from " The First Con- 
 gregational church in Concord," and recommended for the 
 purpose of being formed into a church on the east side of 
 the river, where no established worship had been main- 
 tained. A house of worship was built and dedicated before 
 the church was formed. The reason of tliis enterprise is 
 given in the recorded language of the original members : — 
 " God having favored us with a house of worship where many 
 are now accommodated with the means of grace, who have 
 previously been deprived of this fixvor to a great extent, we 
 are called upon by the providence of God to be organized into 
 a church." 
 
 The religious history of tliis parish, prior to the formation 
 of this church, belongs to the history of the First church, 
 some of whose pillars were spared to be set in this church 
 as the third colony from the original Congregational church 
 in Concord. The mother and her children abide in harmony. 
 
 Eev. Timothy Morgan was the stated preacher for one year. 
 Under his ministry there was a revival interest, and about 
 40 cases of hopeful conversion occurred ; of these, 32 indi- 
 viduals became members of this church. This religious 
 interest was preceded by protracted religious meetings in the 
 toiun, and attended by such meetings in the parisli,. 
 
 Eev. Hiram Freeman was ordained and installed as the 
 first pastor of this church Sept. 27, 1843. He was dismissed 
 June 19, 1846, at his own recj^uest, in order to enter the 
 missionary field of the West. Salary, $ 350 per annum. 
 It was raised to $ 400. Rev. Winthrop Fifield was installed 
 pastor of this church March 24, 1847. Salary, $ 350. He 
 was dismissed March 25, 1850. 
 
 Rev. Henry A. Kendall, the present pastor, was installed 
 June 26, 1851, with a salary of $400. 
 
 The whole number of members has been 152. The pres- 
 ent number is 104. The additions in all have been 106 — by 
 profession 67 — by letter 39. Infant baptisms have been 12, 
 — adult three. The average amount paid for benevolent 
 objects during the last four years is $ 100, annually. Rev. 
 E. E. Adams, born in this parish, and Eev. Joseph Warren, 
 a resident here, have gone into the ministry. The latter is 
 a missionary of the Presbyterian Board. Public morals 
 have improved greatly during the period of forty years, espe- 
 
376 MERRIMACK COUNTY. 
 
 cially in the decrease of intemperauce^ profaneness and open 
 Sabbath breakin<r. 
 
 DUNBAETON. 
 
 Eev. John M. Putnam. 
 
 The church of Christ in Dunbarton was organized, June 
 18, 1789, consisting of ten members. This event was about 
 forty years after the iirst permanent settlement was made in 
 this town by white inhabitants, and twenty four years after 
 the town was incorporated under the name of Dunbarton. — 
 The popuhition of the town was, at that time, nearly the 
 same that it is now. In 1769, about twenty years before the 
 organization of the church, the town erected a rude structure 
 which was used fir purposes of public worship, though 
 it scarcely bore any resemblance to church edifices of the 
 present day. It stood where the old Meeting-house (belong- 
 ing to the town,) now stands. All around it was then an 
 uncultivated wild. 
 
 But a new era was at hand. In the year 1789, the same 
 year in which the church was organized, the tovm voted, on 
 certain specifiied conditions, to build a new Meeting-house ; 
 which vote was carried into effect. The same year was also 
 memorable for another event, the settlement of Kev. Walter 
 Harris, the first pastor of tliis church, wliich took place on 
 the 26th of August, 1789 — a little more than two months 
 from tlie time the church was organized. Up to this time, 
 but very little salutary religious influence had been exerted 
 here, and very few made any pretensions at all to being the 
 servants of Christ. The candidates for the pastoral ofSce 
 who preceded Mr. Harris, were not men who were adapted 
 to raise very high the standard either of orthodoxy or mor- 
 als. Arminianism, at that time, was most lamentably rife, 
 and great laxness of doctrine and discipline prevailed in all 
 the churches. The community were still suffering greatly 
 from the deleterious effects, upon their morals and habits of 
 lite, of the War of the Eevolution. 
 
 On Mr. Harris' taking the charge of this church, a new 
 state of things was ere long manifest ; a new aspect was vis- 
 ible upon the religious interests of the people. He saw that 
 the people were, in a spiritual point of view, languishing and 
 perishing for want of faithful, thorough, evangelical instruc- 
 tion. And very soon after his ordination he commenced, in 
 a systematic way, the important work of stating, defining. 
 
DUNBARTON. 377 
 
 illustrating and defending the great doctrines of tlie gosyiel. 
 Several years were spent in this great work — during which 
 Mr. Harris brought into vigorous exercise all the powers of 
 his acute and discriminating mind — a mind well trained, 
 both in the school of science and in the school of theology — 
 a mind, naturally capacious and discerning, capable of grasp- 
 ing and digesting great truths, at the same time that it was 
 fired with a peculiar ardor and energy, from the inspira- 
 tion of a heart touched witli the mysterious power of divine 
 grace, and blessed in an uncommon measure, witli "an imc- 
 tion from the Holy One." In this manner he labored ; not 
 shunning "to declare the whole counsel of God," preaching 
 the truth with an earnestness and affection, and with a fidel- 
 ity and a pungency, peculiarly adapted to take eti'ect. 
 
 Two whole years passed away under these faithful labors, 
 and no signs were witnessed of God's reviving infiuences. 
 The third year also had half finished its course, and no cloud 
 of mercy had yet made its appearance over this hill of Zion. 
 But now had arrived the hour of God's merciful visitation. 
 A stillness, like that of death, now pervaded the congrega- 
 tion on the Sabbath, save when that stillness was broken by 
 the involuntary sighs and lialf suppressed sobs of those who 
 had felt the Spirit's power upon their hearts, and were weep- 
 ing over their sins. With such convincing energy did the 
 Holy Ghost descend, that the entire peoi)le were moved ; 
 the whole town was shaken as with a moral earthquake, and 
 none were so hardened as not to bo interested in the inquiry, 
 "What shall I do to be saved .^" Now were Zion's walls 
 indeed called salvation, and her gates praise ! This was one 
 of the most signal and glorious works of grace ever witnessed 
 in New England. It was such a scene as earth seldom 
 beholds — " such as heaven looks down with joy to view." 
 It introduced to this then infant church about 80 new mem- 
 bers. Thus the little band of ten, who, three years before, 
 were constituted into a church, in the midst of this moral 
 wilderness, received an increase equal to dijubling their num- 
 ber three times, during the first three years of their exist- 
 ence : — a glorious triiuuph, surely, over the kingdom of satan 
 and the powers of darkness. 
 
 To the splendors of this bright day, there succeeded a long 
 night of comparative darkness. In connection with this first 
 revival, or during the lapse of a single year, it appears that a 
 larger number were received to this church by profession, than 
 during the whole generation following. During thirty three 
 years there were, as near as can be ascertained by the records 
 of the church, seventy eight admissions ; two less than the 
 25 
 
378 MERRIMACK COUNTY. 
 
 admissions resulting from the revival of 1792. In the course 
 of this period, however, there was one revival, which occurred 
 in 1816, the fruits of which, amounting to 40 in number, 
 were gathered into the church during that and the following 
 year. The average number received to the church, by pro- 
 fession, when no revival existed, was a little over one a year. 
 But notwithstanding the few admissions during the period 
 under consideration'^ the church, in many respects, might 
 well be regarded as in a licalthful and prosperous state. The 
 members of it were ardently attached to the faith once 
 delivered unto the saints, and, under the discriminating, 
 faitliful and highly instructive preaching of their pastor, 
 "whose praise was in the gospel throughout aU the church- 
 es," they were nurtured and built up in the faith, and shone 
 as bright lights amidst the surrounding darkness. No man, 
 perhaps, understood church discipline better, or was more 
 thorough, energetic, and, at the same time, discreet in its 
 administration, than Dr. Harris, the first pastor of this 
 church ; and it was owing greatly to his influence, sustained 
 as he was by a goodly number of congenial spirits among 
 his brethren, that the church, as a body, was kept so free 
 from scandal, and maintained so high a character for purity 
 and good order. 
 
 The 3^ear 1826 marks another memorable era in the annals 
 of this church. A season of refreshing was then experienced 
 from the presence of the Lord, of a similar character to that 
 enjoyed thirty three years previous, an account of which has 
 already been given. At the time of the commencement of 
 this signal work of grace, the relative proportion of profes- 
 sors of religion in this town to the whole number of inhabit- 
 ants, was comparatively small. There were, indeed, at this 
 time, one hundred and seven names standing upon the church 
 records ; but a large number of these were residing out of 
 town. The resident members, as near as can be calculated, 
 were about seventy six or seventy eight. This was a dimi- 
 nution in the number of church members, of somewhat more 
 than one eighth of the whole, since the ingathering of the 
 revival of 1792. But the revival of 1826 put a new face 
 upon things. Long had the ways of Zion mourned. Long 
 had the brethren of this church, at least a portion of them, 
 cried and sighed for deliverance from their spiritual captivity. 
 And now the hour of jubilee had come. The Holy Spirit 
 descended, as at the day of Pentecost, "like a rushing mighty 
 wind," and the glorious power and sovereign grace of Grod 
 were made manifest, in a most wonderful and overwhelming 
 manner. The whole town was again moved. This revival 
 
DUNBARTON. 379 
 
 resulted in the addition of about eighty new members to the 
 cliurch. We here see, that one powerful revival of religion 
 may do more, in a single year, for the enlargement of God's 
 people, than is accomplished during a ivhole generation, in 
 ordinary times, when no such special outpourings of the 
 Spirit are experienced. After the gathering in of the sub- 
 jects of the revival of 182(j, there were but two admissions 
 by profession during the remaining ministry of this venera- 
 ble man. It was about four years after this great revival, 
 that Dr. Harris closed his ministry in this place. With 
 great diligence and fidelity, as well as with signal al)ility and 
 pleasing success, he had labored here for about forty one 
 years. During this period he had received into this church 
 by profession two hundred and thirty four persons — on an 
 average, between five and six admissions annually. The influ- 
 ence of Dr. Harris' ministry was great and good. As one 
 has aptly expressed it : " His influence, that still liveth, 
 beautiful as a thread of gold, and with the strengtli of iron 
 it is interwoven with the whole character of this people." 
 
 In the year 1830, Dr. Harris, worn down by the weight of 
 years and many infirmities, was, by his own request, dis- 
 missed from his pastoral charge : and the same council which 
 dismissed the first, installed the seconel, the present pastor of 
 this church, liev. John M. Putnam, which event took jilace 
 July 8, 1830. This last act took place with the full appro- 
 bation and expressed wishes of the first pastor, and the 
 unanimous voice of the church and people. 
 
 In the spring of 1831, about eight months from the date 
 of the present pastor's settlement, this church was blest with 
 another of those glorious outpourings of the Holy Spirit, 
 which cause such thrills of joy among the heavenly hosts. 
 The measure of holding a protracted meeting was adopted 
 with much fear and trembling on the part of the church, lest 
 it should fail to be attended with the desired results. For 
 weeks before its arrival, it was made the subject of special, 
 united and daily prayer. It was also made to hold a very 
 prominent place in the pul)lic services of the sanctuary. — 
 The people of Clod seemed truly to humble themselves 
 beftre their heavenly Father and to feel deeply their unvvor- 
 thiness and dependence, and were led to plead with God 
 with pecuKar fervor and importunacy, to come and bless 
 them. 
 
 On the first day of this holy convocation there was no 
 very visible eifect. But on the second day, Jehovah did 
 indeed appear in his glory. During that memorable day, 
 scenes were acted, which no lapse of time can ever blot from 
 
380 MERRIMACK COUNTY. 
 
 the memory. They will be remembered forever ; for their 
 record is on high. After a nmnber of pungent and powerful 
 addresses had been listened to, in which sinners were pressed, 
 by the strongest motives, to immediate repentance, the pas- 
 tor of this church arose, and attempted to speak : but so 
 oppressed and overcome was he, by the strength of his emo- 
 tions, in view of the awful condition of sinners around him 
 — pressing on to death — that he was utterly unable to pro- 
 ceed. He uttered a few broken accents, interrupted by sobs 
 and tears; and then, from necessity, ceased, till the deep 
 fountains of feeling within, which had been broken up, were 
 in a measure assuaged. 0, the intense interest of that over- 
 whelming moment! The terrors of Almighty God seemed 
 to hang over the assembly, in such a manner that the hearts, 
 even of Christians, were ready to flint within them. The 
 mount of Calvary presented its blood-stained height — 
 
 " There hunjj a Savior bleeding: 
 For tlieir sins upon Ihe treel" 
 
 To this Savior the eye of the sinner was directed. God was 
 holding back his vengeance for a short period, to afford op- 
 portunity to those, on whom rested the sentence of condem- 
 nation, to look away to this Savior for life : — for it was only 
 to " look and live!" At this awful moment a decision was 
 called for. He who, a few moments before, had almost sunk 
 down to the earth, under the weight of his agitated feelings, 
 and who was unable to proceed witli his remarks, now gath- 
 ered strength to say, ^^ All those who are resolved to give 
 themselves up to Christ 7ioiv, or loho are determined to make 
 the subject of religion a subject of immediate and special 
 attention, and desire the prayers of Christians in their behalf, 
 arc invited to remain after the assembly shall be dismissed, 
 and to seat themselves in the central pews of the house."" 
 And now followed a scene, such as no one present had ever 
 witnessed. Sinners were seen pressing into the seats assigned 
 them, in token of their resolution to he the Lord's, and of 
 their desire that, from every Christian's heart the incense of 
 devotion might rise up before God in their behalf. Every 
 bosom felt. Professors of religion, and heart-stricken sin- 
 ners, sat down and wept together. Tears of grief, tears of 
 penitence, and tears of joy were commingled, and poured 
 forth most freely. 0, it was then that every one felt that 
 GOD was present. Even the infidel, could he have been a 
 spectator, would have been compelled to exclaim, surely the 
 
 * A similar invitation ^vas piven, usually, in connection with the hundreds of protracted 
 meeliiigs held from 1889 to 1835. 
 
DUNBARTON. 381 
 
 Christian's GOD is here ! This revival resulted in the addi- 
 tion of fiftj' members to the churcli by jirofession. 
 
 In 1836, the society with which the church is connected, 
 with entire concert, and delightt'al harmony of feeling, built 
 a new Meeting-house. During the next ten years tliis 
 church enjoyed some precious seasons of refreshing from the 
 Lord, though no extensive outpouring of the Sjiirit has been 
 realized. In 1842, a revival was enjoyed of a limited extent, 
 which brought twelve new members into the church in the 
 course of a year. 
 
 The whole number of admissions to this church by profes- 
 sion, (so far as can be determined from the church records,) 
 since its formation in June, 1789, up to June, 1845, includ- 
 ing a period of fifty six years, is three hundred and nineteen; 
 two hundred and thirty four of these were admitted during 
 the forty one years ministry of the first pastor ; and eighty- 
 five of them during the first fifteen years ministiy of the 
 present pastor. The average admissions, annually, under 
 the ministry of each of the pastors, during the jieriods men- 
 tioned, is the same, viz. : between five and six — a remarkable 
 coincidence. At the time of the commencement of the pres- 
 ent pastor's ministry, in 1830, there were, as near as can be 
 ascertained, one hundred and twenty four resident members 
 of the church ; in 1845, there were one hundred and twenty 
 six resident members, since which time there has been no 
 great change except in the diminution of the church by 
 deaths and removals. There are now, (1855,) one hundred 
 and fifteen members. The ministerial support amounts to 
 $470. Contributions to benevolent objects this year $225. 
 
 As we contemplate the past, we see many causes of thanks- 
 giving : First, That this church, formed as it was at a time 
 when great laxness and want of discrimination on religious 
 subjects very extensively prevailed, should have been estab- 
 lished upon the firm foundation of genuine orthodox princi- 
 ples. Secondly, That it secured, in its first pastor, a spirit- 
 ual guide, whose moral and intellectual worth were so emi- 
 nent ; and that his life was spared to them through so long 
 a course of years, giving opportunity for hoo gineratiojis to 
 form their habits under his influence, and receive the stamp 
 of his principles and the impress of his piety. Thirdly, That 
 Grod has, from time to time, visited this church with the out- 
 pourings of his Spirit. Fourthly, That this church has been 
 graciously preserved from those divisions and fatal delusions, 
 which have swept, like a tempest of fire, over so many of the 
 fairest portions of Zion. 
 
382 MERRIMACK COUNTY. 
 
 EPSOM.* 
 
 E)isom was granted to Theodore Atkinson and others, 
 inhabitants of New Castle, Eye, and Grreenfield ; and incor- 
 porated May 18, 1727. The first meeting of the proprietors 
 was holden at the ferry-house in New Castle, Nov. 20,^ ] 727. 
 The concerns of the town were transacted by the proprietors, 
 in meetings holden at New Castle and Portsmouth until 
 1750. The precise time when the first settlement commen- 
 ced cannot he ascertained ; but there were, probably, several 
 fanulies in the town, sometime before its incorporation. — 
 Among the first settlers were Cliarles McCoy from London- 
 derry ; William Blaza, a Frenchman ; Andrew McClary from 
 Londonderry in Ireland ; Samuel Blake, and one Whitaker. 
 In the early days of the town the inhabitants were in great 
 fear of the invasions of the Indians. During the summer 
 season only the men ventured to remain in the place ; and 
 then as they labored they kept their arms by them. In the 
 winter there was less danger. At length a house was erect- 
 ed by Capt. Andrew McClary, made proof against the 
 assaults of the Indians, being surrounded by a high wooden 
 wall, entered by a heavy, well secured gate. Into this the 
 inhabitants fled for refuge at night, when apprehensive of 
 danger. 
 
 In the grant made to the proprietors, early provision was 
 made for the establishment of religious order and the instruc- 
 tion of the rising generation. Two of the conditions of the 
 charter were, " That a house be built for the public worsliip 
 of God within the term of six years ;" and " That one hun- 
 dred acres of land be reserved for a j^arsonage, one hundred 
 acres for the first minister of the gospel, and one hundred 
 acres for the benefit of a school." A period of thirty four 
 years elapsed before a minister was settled. Kev. John 
 Tucke was ordained in the year 1761, and dismissed in 1774. 
 Ho died while on his way to join the revolutionary army, as 
 chaplain. He was a son of Rev. John Tucke of Gosport, 
 and was a graduate of Harvard rn^iversity. No records of 
 the church during Mr. Tucke's ministry can be found ; but, 
 as nearly as can be ascertained from other sources, the num- 
 ber of the church at the close of his ministry was about 
 twenty. After Mr. Tucke's dismissal and after the lapse of 
 five years, Mr. Benjamin Thurston received a call by the 
 church and town to settle as their minister, but he refused 
 their offers. In 1784, Eev. Ebenezer Hazeltine received a 
 
 * Sketch by Rev. R A. Pumam, former pastor. 
 
EPSOM. 383 
 
 call and was ordained their pastor. Mr. Hazcltine was born 
 at Methuen, Ms., Oct. 28, 1755 ; entered Dartmouth college, 
 in 1773 ; was licensed to preach the gos])el by the Grafton 
 Presbytery July 24, 1779 ; and was settled in the work of 
 the ministry in Epsom, Jan. 21, 1784. Eev. Isaac Smith 
 of Gilmanton, who preached his funeral sermon, among oth- 
 er things, says of him — ''He was sound in the faith. The 
 Bible was the man of his counsel. His discourses were cor- 
 rect, substantial, instructive and evangelical. He was him- 
 self a bright example of those moral and religious duties 
 which he inculcated on others." He was called Ironi his 
 labors by death, Nov. 10, 1813, in the 59th year of his age, 
 and 30th of his ministry. 
 
 About one year after the death of Mr. Hazeltine, Kev. 
 Jonathan Curtis was invited by the church to become their 
 pastor ; but the town refused to concm-, A religious society 
 was then organized and that concurred in the action of the 
 church. Mr. Curtis was ordained Feb. 22, 1815. At his 
 settlement the church consisted of about 50 meml)ers. In 
 one year after this, six were added to the church ; the next 
 year 11 ; and in 1817, 16 were added. About this time the 
 attention of many in an unusual degree was awakened by 
 the spirit of God. Much anxiety was manifested, but noth- 
 ing hke enthusiasm or tumult was exhibited. So extensive- 
 ly were the Divine influences experienced that in 1818 the 
 church was increased by 47 additions ; 29 at one time sol- 
 emnly covenanting with God and his people. For several 
 years after that revival more or less were admitted to the 
 church every year. Rev. Mr. Curtis closed liis pastoral rela- 
 tion with the church Jan. 1, 1825, having sustained that 
 relation nearly ten years. During the year ending the first 
 of May 1826, Eev. A. Smith was employed as stated supply, 
 respecting whose labors the Congregational society passed a 
 vote of high commendation. In the year 1827 Rev. C. Bur- 
 bank was employed to preach a portion of the time. 
 
 In Oct. 1827 the church and society gave Rev. John M. 
 Putnam a caU to settle with them in the gospel ministry. — 
 This call he accepted, and was installed November 1st, 
 the same year. Mr. Putnam was born in Sutton, Ms., Feb. 
 26, 1794. At the time of his settlement the church consist- 
 ed of about 110 members. During his ministry with them 
 17 were added to the church. About the first of May 1830, 
 he was dismissed at his own request, having labored among 
 them two and a half years. Until the first of April 1831, 
 the church were without regular preaching. Rev. Abel 
 Manning was then engaged as a stated supply, and contin- 
 
384 MEEKIMACK COUNTY. 
 
 ued witli them two years, and received 29 persons into the 
 church. The church was then k^ft destitute for the most 
 part for more than a year. 
 
 In the autximn of 1834 the Deerfield Association held 
 protracted meetings in all the churches embraced within 
 their hounds. The meetings commenced the fourth week in 
 August at Deerfield, and,' with the exception of the week 
 in which the General Association of the State was holden, 
 continued week after week in the churches according to 
 their vicinity with each other, for eleven weeks, and ended 
 on the second week in November at Meredith Bridge. All 
 these meetings, with scarcely an exception, were attended 
 with delightful and powerful revivals of religion. Epsom 
 had no minister ; and it was doubted whether it were expe- 
 dient to hold a meeting within the town under such circum- 
 stances. But the Association had not the heart to pass them 
 by. The meeting was holden, and a glorious and blessed 
 revival was the result. The church were urged to employ a 
 minister without delay. They were supplied by different 
 persons, among whom were Dr. Harris of Dunbarton, Kev. 
 Mr. Shepherd, and Rev. Preserved Smith, till Feb. 8, 1835, 
 when Rev. Francis P. Smith was employed. He continued 
 with them nearly two years. As the result of the protract- 
 ed meeting and his labors, 34 were admitted to the church. 
 
 Jan. 1, 1837, Rev. Winthrop Fifield began to preach here. 
 The church and society gave him a call, and, Ma}^ 10, 1837, 
 he was ordained as their pastor. The church now embraced 
 111 members. There were seasons, during his pastorate, 
 when the Divine influence was more or less fully manifest, 
 and Christians were revived and sinners converted. At one 
 time — May 27, 1838 — 30 persons, one only by letter, united 
 with this people. Mr. Fifield's ministry continued nine 
 years and a half, during which 49 united with the church. 
 In the spring of 1846 he was regularly dismissed. 
 
 On the 19"th of September 1846, Rev. Rufus A. Putnam 
 commenced preaching here, and, March 21, 1847, the church 
 gave him a call to settle with them as their pastor ; in 
 which the Congregational society concurred. To this call 
 he gave an affirmative answer. He was regularly instaUed, 
 May 5, 1847. At this time there were 109 members in the 
 church ; 36 males and 73 females. He was pastor of the 
 church for five years. During this time six were added to 
 the church. There had been but few additions for several 
 years. A time of dearth and spiritual sloth had rested on 
 the churches. At his own request Mr. Putnam was dis- 
 missed by an ecclesiastical council May 3, 1852. He was 
 
FRANKLIN. 385 
 
 born ill Sutton, Ms. Nov. IS, 1791, and graduated at Har- 
 vard in the class of 1822. 
 
 During- the years of 1852 and '53, Ecv. M. B. Angier and 
 Rev. 0. C. Du'rgin preached a part of the time to tliis peo- 
 ple. The Eov. Rufus A. Putnam was again employed for 
 one year; wliich closed August 1, 1854. During this year 
 seven united vv'ith the church ; six by profession and one by 
 letter. Eev. E. H. Blancharcl was engaged as stated supply 
 for one year, whicli closed the third Sabbatli in Av.gust 
 1855. This year four were added to the cliurch ; erne by 
 profession and three by letter. The present number of the 
 church is about 100. Records of the original organization 
 of the church and of the times of Rev. Mr. Tucke, the first 
 minister, cannot be found ; probably do not exist. It is 
 impossible, tlierefore, to make out any very accurate statis- 
 tics, and we do not attempt it. 
 
 FISHERVILLE. 
 
 Tliis place is situated in the northwest jiart of Concord, 
 and includes some p)art of Boscawen. It is gro'\'\'ing in pop- 
 ulation and influence. Many families here cannot well reach 
 houses of worship away from this neighborhood. 
 
 With the utmost good feeling a church was organized 
 here Nov. 6, 1850. Two small churches had before existed, 
 one in Boscawen and one in Concord. Their members came 
 into this new church. It consisted at first of 66 memljers. 
 Quite a number came from the West Church in Concord. — 
 The additions to the church have been, by profession, six ; 
 by letter, 11 ; removals, by death six, by dismission 10. — 
 Since the union of the two churches, this church has had no 
 settled minister, but a constant supply. For the last fifteen 
 rponths the pulpit has been supplied 'by Mr. J. M. Cross, a 
 Kcentiate, whose labors have been secured for the coming 
 year. Meetings on the Sabbath arc well attended ; the 
 Sabbath School is in a flourishing condition ; the congrega- 
 tion favors the benevolent objects of the day. 
 
 FRANKLIN. 
 
 Rev. William T. Savage. 
 
 The Congregational church in Franklin is one of the 
 younger members of the sisterhood of churches which have 
 
386 MEREIMACK COUNTY. 
 
 existed coeval with the first settlement of the State. The 
 town in which it is located was incorporated in the year 
 1828, and was made to include territory taken from four 
 corners of the towns of Salisbury, Andover, Sanbornton, and 
 Northfield. Previous to the date mentioned, the religious 
 interest existing on this territory, was, for the most part, 
 attracted to religious centers long established in those older 
 places, and the various families, following their particular 
 affinities and consulting their convenience, repaired to those 
 places to enjoy the pulilic worship of God. 
 
 In process of time, however, this territory l)ecame itself a 
 center of business operations and of influence, and secured 
 distinct municipal, religious and educational institutions, 
 through which to develop its powers and manifest its own 
 peculiar life ; so that lienceforth, the agricultural village, 
 where were developed the intellectual powers of a Webster ; 
 the mercantile and industrial village, not far distant, on 
 the Pemigewasset ; and the manufacturing f Dree and popu- 
 lation, near the confluence of the Winnipiseogee with the 
 Merrimack, were all united and concentrated in one town ; 
 and that a town destined, without doubt, from the remark- 
 able manutaeturing power yet unajjplied, to exhibit an im- 
 portant future. 
 
 From these statements, it will be seen that the church in 
 Franklin, unlike many others, has its main interest in its 
 outlook towards the future, rather than towards the past ; 
 and that the work of its historian is brief The outUne 
 facts of its life are these : 
 
 It was organized, and its articles of faith and covenant 
 adopted, June 11, 1822. At that time, it included fourteen 
 members ; five of whom united with it on pr(ifession of their 
 faith in Christ. The Rev. Dr. Wood, of Boscawen East, 
 Eev. Thomas Worcester, of Salisbury, and Rev. Ebenezer 
 Price, of Boscawen West, officiated at its organization, and 
 the Eev. Abraham Bodwell, of Sanborntob, was appointed, 
 by the church, its first moderator. It was under the foster- 
 ing care and counsel of these respected men, with the bless- 
 ing of heaven, that the church obtained its first start in the 
 career of life. 
 
 It appears to have had the services of several ministers of 
 the gospel, for short periods, down to November 1828, from 
 which time, the list of its ministers is as follows : Joseph 
 Lane was acting ]iastor from Nov. 16, 1828, to Feb. 20, 
 1831 ; Benjamin P. Stone was ordained pastor May 26, 
 1831, and dismissed May 2, 1832 ; Daniel D. Tappaii was 
 acting pastor from July 8, 1832, to Aug. 11, 1833 ; Samuel 
 
HENNIKEB. 387 
 
 Nichols was acting pastor from Jan. 26, 1834, to Mnj 1. 
 1837; Isaac Knight was installed pastor Sept. 27, 1837, and 
 dismissed Dec. 21, 1848 ; William T. Savage was installed 
 pastor Sept. 4, 1849, and is the present pastor. 
 
 The basis of doctrine, on which this chnrch has stood from 
 the first, is that which is distinctively known as the " Ortho- 
 dox Congregational ;" holding the Bible as the only rule of 
 its belief and the perfect guide of its conduct. Under the 
 ministry of Messrs. Stone and Tappan, it passed through 
 afflictions of a marked character, but through the grace of 
 God, power was granted its officers and members to hold fast 
 their confidence in the Divine nature and sufficient atone- 
 ment of the Lord Jesus Christ. It has steadily advanced in 
 numbers and strength to the present time. Occasionally it 
 has experienced seasons of special spiritual refreshment and 
 progress, when numbers have been enrolled among its mem- 
 bership, and the strength and beauty of the Lord have rested 
 upon it. The present number of its members is 105. Its 
 sphere of influence is wide and increasingly important. It 
 bears testimony, at " the meeting of the waters '' firming 
 the Merrimack river, that the Puritan faith and fjrras of 
 worship still live, and, to hopeless wanderers from God, it 
 holds out the torch that illumines the way to heaven. Thus 
 may it do, ever. 
 
 HENNIKEB. 
 
 Rev. J. M. R, Eaton. 
 
 The character of the early settlers was generally good. — 
 They came mostly from Massachusetts, many of them from 
 Westbury, Grafton and vicinity. One of the votes, at the 
 firsttown meeting of which we have the records, is, "that 
 the inhabitants accepted Mr. Jacob Eice as their gosjiel min- 
 ister, agreeing to pay him ,£30 as a settlement, and £30 a 
 year as salary, for four years, and then to increase it to 35, 
 40, 50, 60, £66, 13s, 4d, as the pojiulation increased. The 
 last named sum was to be the regular salary when it reached 
 that point." The church was organized June 7, 1769, and 
 Mr. Eice became its pastor. It consisted of nine male mem- 
 bers. Mr. Eice's health soon failed, so that the peojde were 
 without preaching a part of the time. He was finally dis- 
 missed February 1782, but sujiplied the pulpit occasionally 
 for twenty years afterwards, while the church was destitute 
 of a pastor. During this time a number of candidates 
 
388 MEKHIMACK COUNTY. 
 
 preached, but the people were not united in them. During 
 the fi)'st thirty three years of the church, so far as is known, 
 5.5 persons were connected with it. Mr. Rice was a native 
 of Northborough, Ms., and a graduate of Harvard college. — 
 Not long after his dismission he removed to Broomfield, Me., 
 where he continued to live about twenty years. He preach- 
 ed while there about as frequently as he had done for twen- 
 ty years and more in Henniker. In 1823, at the age of 84, 
 he walked to Fryeburg, a distance of eight miles, to be pres- 
 ent at an ordination. He walked up in the morning before 
 the services. He died the next February, at Broomfield, in 
 the 85th year of his life. 
 
 Rev. Moses Sawyer, a native of Salisbury, N. H., a grad- 
 iiate of Dartmouth college, preached in the town's Meeting- 
 house during some months in the year 1801. Some special 
 interest was manifested on the subject of religion. Eifort 
 was made by the church to settle Mr. Sawyer, but the town 
 opposed it, as they had in the case of others to whom the 
 church had given a call, for many years. The church 
 became satisfied that they could not settle a faithful minis- 
 ter in connection with the town, gave up their connection 
 with it, and organized a Calvinistic society. The town first 
 gave Mr. Sawyer a call to settle over them, but an opposi- 
 tion was raised, another town meeting called, and the oppo- 
 sition was so strong that they re-considered the vote. Im- 
 mediately, on the spot, the house was divided, and the 
 evangelical portion decided to organize and settle Mr. Saw- 
 yer. His ordination took place May 26, 1802, in a barn, 
 ■ where he preached for some length of time. Mr. Sawyer 
 was dismissed March 29, 1826. During his ministry indi- 
 viduals were received to the church every year, with the 
 exception of three. He admitted 114 persons. Nine were 
 received in 1802, 13 in 1803, 12 in 1810, 26 in 1816, and 
 16 in 1824. From these items it is probable that the 
 church was revived quite frecpiently under Mr. Sawyer's 
 ministry. He was hopefully converted at the age of 17 — 
 delivered tlie Philosophical Oration at Dartmouth, when he 
 graduated — studied theology with Dr. Burton of Thetford. 
 ''The harmony that existed between Mr. Sawyer and his 
 people" here "was remarkable for a period of about twenty 
 four years. He was a laborious student, always bringing 
 beaten oil into the sanctuary. He aimed to explain to the 
 people the great doctrines of the gospel. He lived and 
 acted, and prayed and preached, apparently with the sacrcd- 
 ness of his office in view, and with an ardent love of souls in 
 his heart. It was never said that, in all his intercourse with 
 
HKNNIKER. 389 
 
 his people, he ever uttered ;i saying or did an act that liad 
 a tendenc}' to bring reproach on the minifstry. He was fear- 
 less in his defence of the truth, and yet all bis conduct was 
 marked with prudence. Tlio cause of Clod prospered under 
 his ministry." His dismission fnim this place gave his ner- 
 vous system a shock from which he never recovered. He 
 was installed twice after leaving here, once at Scarborough, 
 Me., and once at Gloucester, and ho sujiplied the pulpit 
 at Saugus, Ms., six years, when he retired from a ^\(>rk to 
 which he was much attached, and to whicli be had Ljng been 
 devoted. This was in 1842. He was in the ministry forty 
 years. He was descended from pious ancestors. 
 
 Rev. Jacob Scales, a native of Freeport, Me., and gradu- 
 ate of Dartmouth college, was installed Jan. 17, 1827, and 
 dismissed March 1, 1839. Mr. Scales received 224 individ- 
 uals to the church, 10 in 1830, 57 in 1831, 36 in 1832, 14 
 in 1833, 12 in 1834, 47 in 1835, 11 in 183G, and 27 in 1838. 
 No year passed without some additions. Protracted meet- 
 ings were held during Mr. Scales' ministry here. The cliui-ch 
 was visited by committees. Mr. Scales was a very lalioritiuR 
 and successful pastor. 
 
 Eev. Eaton 13. Foster was settled as pastor of this elinrch 
 Aug. 18, 1841, and was dismissed Jan. 7, 1847. Thirty 
 one individuals were received to the church during this 
 period. Fifteen of these were received in 1843, and eight 
 in 1844. The church was visited by a comnnttee in '42, 
 and a series of special religious meetings was holden in '43. 
 Undoubtedly these means had an important bearing upon 
 the church's prosperity. Rev. Richard T. Searle was install- 
 ed as pastor of the church Dec. 1, 1847, and was disnnssed 
 March 20, 1850. Seven individuals joined the churcli dur- 
 ing tills time. Mr. Searle graduated at Union college. 
 
 Eev. J. M. R. Eaton was installed Feb. 26, 185i; gradu- 
 ated at Amherst college 1841, native of Fitchburg, Ms.— 
 twelve have united with the church. There has been within 
 the past year more than usual religious interest, several 
 young men have become hopefully pious. It would be 
 impossible to describe satiifadorily'the cauftcs of the dismis- 
 sion of the former pastors of the church. The consequences 
 have, in some cases, been bad. The people have never pro- 
 vided a parsonage. In the early history of the church there 
 was a fund for the support of the gospel in part, but long 
 since it was divided among different denominations and has 
 disappeared. There is reason to })elieve that the early set- 
 tlers made considerable sacrifices fjrthe su])port of the gospel. 
 The church has been distinguished for benevolence. It is not 
 
;!90 MEEEIMACK COUNTY. 
 
 a wcaltlij' cliurch. AVhile they pay a salary of only $ 500, 
 they contribute from $500 to $600 for benevolent pur^joses. 
 During the last year an aged member of the church has gone 
 to his rest, who contributed more to benevolent objects than 
 men of his means are accustomed to do. The average attend- 
 ance on public Avorship is not far from 250. About 375 are 
 connected with the parish in some way, or somewhat less 
 than one cpiai'ter of the whole population. AVhole number 
 of church members from the beginning, 451. Present num- 
 ber, 170. The numljcr of children baptized on the faith of 
 parents in 16 years, is about 200. Mr. Scales baptized most 
 of tliese, and many of them by families, when the jiarents 
 became members of the church. Under date of Feb. 24th, 
 1839, he makes an entry upon the church records, in which 
 he states that there are four children of one sister in the 
 church whose husband refuses to have them baptized ; and 
 also that there are four other children whose four mothers are 
 members of the church, but whose fathers are not. " Besides 
 these," says he, " I believe there is no child of any member 
 of the church, who is six months old, and has not been bap- 
 tized." One, at least, of these was baptized afterwards. — 
 The neglect of infant baptism and of family worship is 
 scarcely known among us. Seven members of the church 
 have been licensed to preach. One of these is a missionary 
 at Satara. One other is a member of Dartmouth college, 
 preparing for the ministry. Revivals have generally been 
 connected with special means, such as protracted meetings, 
 visiting l)y appointed committees chosen from this and from 
 neighboring churches. At least this seems to be true for 
 twenty five years past. It is thought that cliurch members 
 are more active than they were forty years ago. There is 
 not so much open wickedness, by far, among adults now as 
 then. At that time, there was a vast amount of intemper- 
 perance, open opposition to truth and righteousness, and 
 blas})hemous conversation. At present there is a sad devel- 
 opment of depravity among the young, in obscene and pro- 
 lane language. 
 
 " The year after the church was gathered, a Meeting-house 
 30 feet long and 20 feet wide was built of logs, without the 
 use of a smoothing plane, and without glass windows. For 
 ten successive years it was occupied for religious worship and 
 other purposes ; then it was burnt and the church and peo- 
 ple left without a sanctuary six or seven years. The old 
 Meeting-house on the south side of the river was built by 
 the town in the year 1786, and occupied by the church and 
 people in peace tiU 1802, and then the doors were closed 
 
HOrivINTON. 391 
 
 against the church and the minister of their choice. After 
 resorting for many months to barns and private houses to 
 hear the word of God, another house was erected, and occu- 
 pied by the church, and all who chose to assemble with them, 
 till Aug. 23, 1833, when it was burnt with all its contents. 
 The church being left a fourth time within G4 years without 
 a place of worship, set them.selvcs by prayer and voluntary 
 effort to lay a new foundation and erect another house ; 
 which was dedicated Aug. 27, 1834." Our town has sutfcred 
 immensely by investing money in railroads, and the religious 
 community have shared largely in the loss. 
 
 The Cal'vinistic Baptist church in this place was organized 
 in 1830 as a branch of the Bradford church, and became in- 
 dependent of that in about three years. They have had no 
 preaching for a number of years past. Present number of 
 members, 43. The Methodist Ei)iscopal church nundjers 100. 
 
 HOOKSETT. 
 
 This is a comparatively new town, having a distinct his- 
 tory only from its incorporation in 1822. A Congregational 
 church was formed here in 1828 of seven members. In 
 1846, with great self denial, they built a Meeting-house cost- 
 ing $ 1500, of which they raised $ 1200 while they were 
 building and had but fourteen members in the church. The 
 church has nev^er enjoyed a23ermanent ministry. Quite early 
 Rev. Mr. Boyter was here. He was followed in 1836 by 
 Rev. H. Moore, in '37 by Rev. W. C. Greenlcaf, and in '38 
 by Rev. S. E. Jewett. In 1846 Rev. James W. Perkins was 
 here, followed by Rev. John Lawrence the next year. Rev. 
 J. W. Tarlton was employed in 1853, and Rev. William A. 
 Fobes in 1854. The church now numbers 3G members. 
 
 HOPKINTON. 
 
 Rev. M. B. A.NGiEE. 
 
 In answer to the petitioners for a grant of this town, the 
 committee of the " Great and General Court" of Massachu- 
 8etts_ recommended that the petition be granted on certain 
 conditions, among which is this : " that the grantees do, 
 within the space of three years from the time of their being 
 admitted, build and finish a convenient Meeting-house for 
 
392 MERKIMACK COUNTY. 
 
 the public worship of Grod, and settle a learned orthodox 
 minister." At the first meeting of the proprietors after their 
 petition was granted, it was voted, " that when ten families 
 are settled, the proprietors will maintain preaching." In 
 the church records is the following entry : " the settlement 
 of tliis town or plantati(in, was begun before the war, wliich 
 begun about the year 1744, but by that war was entirely 
 broken up." Tliis was the old " French war." 
 
 Nov. 23, 1757, a church of ten members was gathered, 
 and Mr. James Scales was oidained the same day. No house 
 of worship had been erected, and the ordination was solem- 
 nized in Putney's Fort, (so called,) and " the numerous 
 spectators attended the solemnity abroad in the open air, the 
 weather being very warm, calm and pleasant for the season." 
 Mr. Scales graduated at Harvard college, 1733. He was 
 dismissed July 4, 1770. During his ministry 92 persons 
 were admitted to the church ; 45 of them on profession. 
 A few were probably admitted on the "halfway covenant." 
 Mr. Elijah Fletcher, a native of Westford, Ms. and graduate 
 of Harvard college, 1769, was ordained Jan. 27, 1773, and 
 died April 8, 1786. During his ministry of about thirteen 
 years, 42 were received to the church ; 12 of them by pro- 
 fession. Mr. Jacob Cram a native of Hampton Falls, and 
 a graduate of Dartmouth college 1782, was ordained Feb. 
 25, 1789, and dismissed Jan. 6, 1792. On Thursday morn- 
 ing Feb. 5, 1789, the Meeting-house was consumed by fire 
 purposely set. Mr. Cram's ordination was solemnized on a 
 stage erected contiguous to the front of the dwelling house 
 of Benjamin Wiggin, Esq., now, (1855,) occupied by Mr. 
 S. B. Sargent. During Mr. Cram's ministry, 33 jsersons 
 were received to the church, 26 of them by profession. Dur- 
 ing the time in which there was no Meeting-house, public 
 worship was held in the barn of Benjamin Wiggin, Esq. 
 After the dismission of Mr. Cram, the church was destitute 
 of a pastor more than eight years. During that period, an 
 interesting revival was enjoyed, as the fruit of which 38 were 
 received to the church by jn-ofession. While the church were 
 destitute of a pastor, sad divisions arose, and another church 
 was organized. At length, through the mediation of minis- 
 ters called for that purpose, the divisions were healed. The 
 Eev. Dr. Harris of Dunbarton, who had been repeatedly 
 called for the removal of these difficulties, remarked to a 
 minister settled over the church many years after, that he 
 '' saw the individuals who had been alienated from eaeh 
 other, melted doivn into one body." 
 
 Rev. Ethan Smith, a native of South Hadley, Ms., and a 
 
LOUDON. 393 
 
 graduate of Dartmouth 1790, was installed March 11, 1800; 
 dismissed Dec. 16, 1817. Mr. Smith was the author of sev- 
 eral works. His " View of the Trinity" was a valuable 
 addition to theological literature. Mr. Smith's ministry was 
 eminently useful. In 1811, a more extensive revival was 
 enjoyed than had probably been witnessed from the settle- 
 ment of the town — 192 persons by profession and letter were 
 admitted to the church during his ministi-y. Mr. Koger C. 
 Hatch, a native of Middletown, Conn,, and a graduate of 
 Yale 1815, was ordained Oct. 21, 1818, and dismissed June 
 26, 1832. Several seasons of special religious interest were 
 enjoyed during his ministry. The whole number admitted 
 to the church in the 14 years of his pastorate, was 147. 
 
 Kev. Moses Kimball, a native of the town, and graduate 
 of Dartmouth 1826, and of the theological seminary at An- 
 dover 1830, was installed May 7, 1834, and dismissed July 
 15, 1846. During the ministry of Mr. Kimball four seasons 
 of special religious interest were enjoyed. There were added 
 to the church 179; of these 116 were by profession. Rev. 
 Edwin Jennison, a native of AValpole, and graduate of Dart- 
 mouth, 1827, and of the theological seminary at Andover 
 1830, was installed June 6, 1847, and dismissed, on account 
 of iU health, Sept. 5, 1849. Mr, Christopher M. Cordley, a 
 native of Oxford, England, and graduate of the Western Re- 
 serve college, Ohio, 1844, and of the theological seminary at 
 Andover 1847, was ordained Sept. 5, 1849, and dismissed 
 Feb. 4, 1852. A season of considerable religious interest was 
 enjoyed during his ministry. 
 
 Mr. Marshall B. Angler, a native of Southborough, Ms., 
 and a graduate of Yale 1844, and of the Union theological 
 seminary, N. Y., 1849, was ordained June 8, 1853. Of the 
 nine ministers who have been settled over this church, but 
 one has died while in office here. Five of the number are 
 now living. There are about 200 members in the church at 
 this time. Fourteen persons have filled the office of deacon. 
 One of these left the place, and eleven have deceased. The 
 society have a neat and convenient house of worship, and a 
 vestry for the accommodation of social religious meetings. 
 
 LOUDON. 
 
 FiBST CnnEcn,— Rev, Jaikds Okdway. 
 
 In January 1773, the parish of Loudon was set off from 
 the town of Canterbury. At its first town meeting, held at 
 26 
 
394 MERRIMACK COUNTY. 
 
 the private house of Abraham Bachelder, in the following 
 March, it was voted to raise fifty dollars for the support of 
 the gospel in Loudon the ensuing year ; also, to fall twenty 
 acres of trees on the parsonage, which was located near the 
 center of the town, where the first Meeting-house that was 
 built now stands. From this time until the settlement of a 
 minister in 1789, from fifty to a hundred and fifty dollars 
 were raised annually for the support of the gospel ; and 
 preaching was most of the time enjoyed. _ Various ministers 
 served, by the year, and for shorter periods of time, there 
 being frequent intervals of destitution. 
 
 In 1778 arrangements were made for building a Meeting- 
 house, to be located on the reserved school lot adjoining the 
 parsonage. It was forty four feet by fifty eight, with galler- 
 ies, and end porches for stair-flights. Forty five thousand 
 dollars of the depreciated continental bills were raised, to 
 defray the expenses of building. A barrel of rum was pur- 
 chased for the raising, and a great supper provided for the 
 mass. The frame was raised in 1779, and walled in the 
 succeeding year ; the tax-payers receiving the pew privileges 
 and building their own pews respectively, at private expense. 
 In 1783 an acre and a half of the parsonage ground was 
 walled in for a cemetery ; another half acre being reserved 
 for future inclosure. 
 
 Efforts were made from time to time to open the way for 
 the settlement of a minister, by a few weeks or months 
 employment of some one on probation. The second call 
 was extended to Mr. Jedediah Tucijer in 1789, who was 
 then ordained as the minister of the parish, having the whole 
 township of Loudon as his charge. He received thirty acres 
 of land adjoining the parsonage as a settlement — the use of 
 the parsonage of sixty acres ; and a salary of £ 60, to be 
 increased five pounds annually up to seventy five pounds. 
 Soon after the Rev. Mr. Tucker was ordained, a church was 
 organized with five male members. Copies of the list, taken 
 off several months later, contain 10 members, four of them 
 being females. Several individuals in town entered their 
 dissent, and others did not heartily cooperate in settling a 
 minister, not being united in sustaining the Congregational 
 order, but ha\ing preferences for other sects, and especially 
 for the Baptist. Accordingly there were occasional with- 
 drawals, to attend some other meeting in an adjoining town. 
 Mr. Tucker not only occupied a large field, and hard to cul- 
 tivate, but his labors were increased by an extensive prac- 
 tice as a physician, for which services, "within the limits of 
 the town, no charges were made. There were no revivals 
 
LOUDON. 395 
 
 during the early history of the parish — apparently but few 
 conversions, and few additions to the church. A large num- 
 ber of public houses were kept, principally for retailing alco- 
 holic liquors. Intemperance prevailed to a considerable 
 extent ; but other immoralities did not unusually abound ; 
 and there was a general attendance upon the Sabbath wor- 
 ship. Such was the general state of things, as nearly as can 
 now be ascertained, for a period of eighteen years. In 1808 
 the collecting of the taxes for the minister's support became 
 difficult. The next year, his salary being some hundreds of 
 dollars in arrears, proposals were made for dissolving the 
 pastoral relation ; but no agreement was concluded. In the 
 town meeting of 1810 it was voted to pay up arrearages of 
 the minister's salary to a certain date, and advance two hun- 
 dred dollars together with a year's use of the ];)arsonage. — 
 Tliis proposal was acceded to by the pastor — the relation 
 was dissolved, and the pulpit left vacant. He did not, how- 
 ever, altogether relinquish his labors, but held frequent 
 meetings in school-houses and private dwellings, in which a 
 religious influence was still exerted. After the dismissal of 
 Rev. Mr. Tucker, no money was raised by the town, as such, 
 for the support of the gospel. For six years there was no 
 stated supply of the pulpit, and but occasional and irregular 
 ministerial labors were enjoyed. 
 
 In 1816 some virtuous young men met together, and 
 commenced an effort for obtaining a minister, and signed 
 one dollar each for this purpose. Then it was taken in 
 hand by the older people, who enlisted anew in the under- 
 taking. Just at this time Mr. Enoch Corser came to town, 
 and commenced his labors in what was considered one of the 
 waste places of Zion. In the fall season a revival commenc- 
 ed under Mr. Corser's labors, and was carried on by him, 
 with some assistance, till it became a very extensive and 
 thoroughgoing work. Imperceptibly perhaps this revival 
 commenced farther back, in the eiforts of those young men 
 ■whose hearts were moved by the Holy Spirit to do some- 
 thing toward obtaining a minister. But its jiower was aug- 
 mented and made visible by the preaching of the gosj)el — 
 by the pungent appeals, the plain, and pointed application 
 of truth. There were upwards of sixty hopeful conversions, 
 but a much smaller number united with the church. The 
 First Congregational Society in Loudon was now incorporat- 
 ed. And in January 1817, a call was extended to Mr. Cor- 
 ser to settle as a pastor over tliis church and society, with 
 an annual salary of $400. He, having signified his accep- 
 tance of the call, was ordained in March following. The 
 
396 MEEEIMACK COUNTY. 
 
 society were now comparatively well united in the minister's 
 support ; the number of the church was last increasing ; the 
 spirit and power of religion were felt among the people, and 
 there was an interesting and hopeful state of things gener- 
 ally through the town. But ojiposing influences were set 
 at work, and this. interest declined. The Freewill Baptists 
 had already commenced their efforts here, and were begin- 
 ning to lead ofl" individuals from the Congregational meet- 
 ing to their own. In 1817 their society was incorporated; 
 they soon obtained the regular services of an elder, and 
 established themselves upon the same ground, so that much 
 of their gain was the loss of the church. 
 
 In 1821, the condition and prospects of the Congregation- 
 al society were such as to induce the voluntary relinquish- 
 ment of $100 of the minister's salary for the following year. 
 But during that year a new interest was awakened. A 
 protracted meeting was held, in which a revi^'al commenced 
 and was carried on, increasing continually and extending 
 itself through all ranks of society, until it became the most 
 powerful work that has ever been experienced in this. 4;own. 
 The Baptist church shared largely in this work. There was 
 considerable religious excitement, and at the same time the 
 Holy Spirit was abundantly poured out. The spirit of this 
 revival pervaded the community. The wicked were afraid ; 
 profane lips dared not utter their oaths ; and open immoral- 
 ity ceased for the time its customary indulgences. There 
 were at least a hundred hopeful conversions, most of whom 
 united with the churches. In May 182.3, the use of the 
 Meeting-house half of the time was given up to the Baptists, 
 and the Congregational meetings were subsequently held 
 half of the time in school-houses. Then measures were tak- 
 en to build a new church edifice, which was to be located a 
 mile nearer the village, for the better accommodation of the 
 southwest part of the town. But this undertaking did not 
 succeed. In 1826 the effort to build was renewed. But 
 some of the members, residing in the southwesterly part of 
 the town, were not satisfied with a central locaHty, and 
 determined that the new house should be located at the vil- 
 lage, which is four miles southwest of the old Meeting- 
 house, and nearly three miles beyond the literal center of 
 the town. A large part of the society would not help build 
 at the village ; consequently those residing in that part took 
 the enterprize of building into their own hands, and in 
 course of the following year erected their house. This led 
 to an unhaj^py division ; for, altliough Mr. Corser preached 
 the dedication sermon, he declined further services. The 
 
LOUDON. 397 
 
 villagers asked dismission, to form a new church and society, 
 which was refused. They left the society, by entering_ their 
 protest upon the records against being taxed, according to 
 an article in the charter. Separation from the church was 
 eventually effected by an ex parte council, which organized 
 a new church independently of the consent of the old ; thus 
 cutting off both church and council from fellowship. Such 
 action, however, was subsequently taken, and such concess- 
 ions made, that fellowship was restored between the parties ; 
 and a charitable feeling, it is hoped, has at length generally 
 prevailed. Both societies being weakened by this division, 
 it has since been difficult for either to raise a competent 
 support for a minister. This society raised $ 300, and the 
 minister continued his labors, — that, has succeeded by mis- 
 sionary aid ; so that preaching in both has most of the time 
 been sustained. 
 
 In 1831 protracted meetings were held by the Deerfield 
 Association in all their churches. Their meeting with tliis 
 church was the means, under God, of its awakening and of an. 
 extensive revival. Meetings were continued with unusual 
 interest, until a large number experienced religion. Many 
 other churches being revived at the same time, the interest 
 became general, and the spirit and power of the gospel were 
 felt effectively throughout this neighborhood. Then Chris- 
 tianity had at least a temporary triumph, such as has not 
 since been experienced. But the fact of its having been fol- 
 lowed by long years of comparative coldness and inaction, 
 .permits but a tremulous expression of joy in our retrospec- 
 tive view of those times. In 1833 protracted meetings were 
 repeated with much less effect. The people were not so easi- 
 ly excited ; nor was excitement so mucla the result of deep 
 conviction as before. Similar formalities were observed ; but 
 faith seemed to fasten too much upon the means, — too little 
 upon G-od. The Holy Spirit was poured out less copiously ; 
 and but few conversions occurred. At length, difficulties in 
 the way of supporting the minister increased. He became 
 from time to time dissatisfied with the condition and pros- 
 pects of the society, and desirous of leaving, until, late in the 
 season of 1837, after twenty years of enterprising labors, hav- 
 ing beeri regularly dismissed, he left town. The great work 
 of building up a church from the un wrought materials which 
 this world naturally affords, was mainly accomplished in the 
 early part of Mr. Corser's ministry. Successive revivals soon 
 brought it to its best state, numbering upwards of a hundred, 
 and possessing competent means of sustaining itself But 
 unfavorable circumstances arose, threatening its prosperity. 
 
398 MERRIMACK COUNTY. 
 
 and opposing forces, pushing it backward so far that it has 
 never been able to recover its former size and strength. It 
 received one shock from the rise of the Freewill Baptists ; a 
 much severer one from its own division ; and, to say nothing 
 of some personal difficulties, when Mr. Corser was dismissed, 
 the church was left in an enfeebled and discouraging state. 
 
 Since then not less than eleven different ministers have 
 officiated, six of whom have been stated supplies for a year 
 or more, and one ordained as pastor, the others serving for a 
 shorter period. In 1838, the Meeting-house having become 
 old and out of repair ; also being large, and cold, and incon- 
 venient for a small congregation ; and being occupied half 
 of the time by the Baptists ; arrangements were made for 
 building a new one, which was finally located near the old, 
 at what is called the center of the town. 
 
 In the year 1839, a new church edifice was erected near 
 the old one, forty feet by fifty, in simple modem country 
 style, and neatly finished for the small sum of $1600. Un- 
 der the labors of C. W. Wallace, in 1838, there was a pro- 
 tracted meeting held, and something of a revival, resulting in 
 a few conversions. The church and society were united in 
 desiring his settlement, but they failed of securing it for 
 want of sufficient pecuniary means. Parker Pillsbury suc- 
 ceeded, who became a railer at length against all things "of 
 good report." He left the congregation divided on the sub- 
 ject of slavery. Some withdrew their membership, and oth- 
 ers their support. They were then more than ever distract- 
 ed and embarrassed, yet did not " give up the ship," and 
 were not long deprived of the labors of an evangelical minis- 
 try. Eev. John LeBosquet supplied there from June, 1841, 
 to September, 1842. The services of Kev. E. N. Hidden, 
 who supplied the pulpit for a short time, were very desirable, 
 but could not be continued for want of the means of render- 
 ing suitable compensation. There was more than usual re- 
 ligious interest in the winter of 1842-3, imder the labors of 
 Jonathan Ayers, which however resulted in the addition of 
 only two members to the church. Eev. Ezeldel Dow was 
 settled Feb. 12, 1845, and dismissed June 9, 1847. Nine 
 individuals united in 1849 to raise the funds in equal shares, 
 and they purchased an acre of land opposite the house of 
 worship for a parsonage lot, and erected suitable buildings 
 thereon. 
 
 Eev. E. F. Abbott supplied the church from June, 1849, 
 to March, 1854. The last revival in this place occurred in 
 the fall of 1851. It commenced in a protracted meeting of 
 both societies, held in the Baptist house, with the assistance 
 
LOUDON. 399 
 
 of Elder Finney and other ministers, where the work rapidly- 
 progressed and was mainly accomplished. The stated sup- 
 plies, Elder Sargent and Kev. E. F. Abbott, performed much 
 of the labor. Union meetings were subsequently held for a 
 few days in the Congregational house ; and frequent meet- 
 ings of this church continued during the winter. The truth 
 was made efficacious, so far as human instrumentality was 
 concerned, by those special means and extra eftbrts usually 
 resorted to on such occasions. Both churches enjoyed a 
 refreshing from the divine presence, and were much revived. 
 Many hearts were changed. In March, 1854, Eev. Jairus 
 Ordway began his labors among this people. Through the 
 blessing of God, the society seem determined to sustain the 
 preaching of the gospel, and if possible, without that mis- 
 sionary aid which is received by several abler societies. In- 
 fant baptism is administered in this church as in others ; 
 though the number cannot be ascertained for want of records. 
 The population of the town is nearly equally divided between 
 the three parishes, the first and second Congregational, and 
 the Baptist; yet only about one third of the inhabitants 
 have any interest in these societies. But an average of not 
 more than three hundred persons in town attend any relig- 
 ious meeting. The present number of the church is 86. The 
 salary is $350. There have six men been furnished for the 
 ministry. 
 
 LOUDON. 
 
 Seco.nd Church.— Rev. C. Willet. 
 
 The Second Congregational church in Loudon was organ- 
 ized Aug. 14, 1828, with six members : 121 have united 
 with it since, making the whole number from the beginning 
 127. The number of infant baptisms recorded is only 24. 
 This church has had only two settled pastors. The first was 
 Eev. Henry White. He was installed Feb. 11, 1835, and 
 dismissed Dec. 26, 1838. The second was Kev. Thomas N. 
 Jones. He was ordained May 24, 1848, and dismissed Feb. 
 21, 1849. After being absent from the place about three 
 months, he returned and supplied the desk between three 
 and four years. He also preached here a year or more before 
 he was ordained. 
 
 Other stated supplies, as we learn from the records and 
 from individuals, are Rev. Messrs. Arnold, Peabody, Eli 
 Smithy W. Nichols, Calvin White, Eobinson, Henry Wood, 
 
400 MEEKIMACK CODNTT. 
 
 Haw ley, and Cyras Mann. Some of these supplied nearly or 
 quite one year, and one or two of them two years. Kev. Chas. 
 Willey has been preaching here since the first of April, 1853. 
 Grod's Spirit has been "poured out upon the people twice 
 since the church was organized, leading several each time to 
 the Saviour ; once when the church was destitute of preach- 
 ing, in 1832. The other revival was at some period during 
 Eev. H. White's ministry. The people have contributed 
 during the last two years about $ 140 to various benevolent 
 objects. In the three evangelical churches in this town it is 
 thought the average attendance on public worship is not 
 more than one sixth part of the population. Present num- 
 ber of the church, 44. Salary of the minister $ 400. 
 
 NEWBUEY 
 
 Contained, according to Dr. Belknap, 130 inhabitants in 
 1775, and in this enumeration Sutton was included. It was 
 incorporated in 1778 under the name of Fishersfield, and the 
 name was changed in 1836. But little effort was early made 
 to secure religious privileges here. 
 
 At present the Freewill Baptists have three societies, com- 
 prising, in all, 83 members and three preachers. The town 
 had, in 1850, 738 inhabitants,— 136 less than in 1820. 
 
 NEW LONDON 
 
 Was incorporated June 25, 1779 — settlements having been 
 made but little previous to this time. We insert with 
 pleasure the following extract from a letter by Ex-Grover- 
 nor Anthony Colby : " We have no Congregational church 
 in this town. The Baptist people were the first to organize 
 a church here, and there has been no attempt to organize 
 any other, except of the Freewill Baptist or Christian order, 
 and they have not met with great success. We have some 
 ten or fifteen persons in town who are members of Congre- 
 gational churches, most of them females. They are constant 
 attendants at our meetings and are very good people. Our 
 minister often exchanges with ministers of your denomina- 
 tion, and we go on very weU. My grand-parents were Con- 
 gregationalists, and their families, excepting my father and 
 mother, who were among the first settlers and aided in the 
 
NOETHFIELD AND SANBOKNTON BRIDGE. 401 
 
 settlement of the first minister, who hved to be pastor of tlie 
 church about forty years ; and we have always su})i)orted a 
 minister, and have a good one now. The jjlace would not 
 support two ministers that would be worth having. To give 
 you a minute history of our church matters would not aid 
 you in your object — if it w^ould I would cheerfully give it." 
 Eev. Job Scamans is the minister above alluded to. He 
 was settled over the Baptist church Jan. 21, 1789 — the 
 church having been organized the previous year. The above 
 extract teaches a salutary truth — that one denomination of 
 Christians well supported, in a town of less than 1000 peo- 
 ple, is better than more. With a population of 945 in 
 1850, New London has a church of 226 members, and had 
 200 thirty years ago — a number exceeded by no other Bap- 
 tist church out of our cities except Newport, where was a 
 great revival three years since ; and although it would be 
 very agreeable for the few Congregationalists thei-e to enjoy 
 the pri%alege of communion, and although we have no doubt 
 our Master would love to see the privilege extended to them, 
 still, in our view, they would do well to ride to other towns 
 at communion seasons, and lend their aid to the existing 
 church, rather than try to secure the planting of a church 
 of their own order that must only Kve a lingering death. 
 
 NOETHFIELD AND SANBOENTON BEIDGE. 
 
 Rev, C. Curtice. 
 
 Northfield was settled in 1760, and no very eflective meas- 
 ures seem to have been adopted for the establishment of 
 religious institutions for many years. In 1806 a Methodist 
 church was organized here, and a Meeting-house was built, 
 open to all denominations. In 1822 the Congregational 
 church was organized and reported, in 1823, 21 members, and 
 Eev. Liba Conant was their minister. He remained with this 
 people about fourteen years, and more than 90 were added 
 to the church. In 1837 Eev. Mr. Lucas was their minister 
 for a year. 
 
 In 1838 Eev. Enoch Corser entered this field, and the 
 Holy Spirit was poured out upon the people, and a season of 
 revival was enjoyed which brought about 50 into the church. 
 He continued his labors for about five years, during which 
 73 were added to the church. 
 
 Eev. Corban Curtice commenced labor here and was set- 
 tled Oct. 5, 1843, and is the present pastor. In 1841 San- 
 
402 MERRIMACK COUNTY. 
 
 bornton Bridge and Northfield congregations were united, and 
 remain so to tliis time. About 70 have been added to the 
 church under the ministry of Mr. Curtice. Ministerial sup- 
 port $475. Congregation about 270. The population of 
 Northfield was 1332 in 1850, having lost nearly 100 in ten 
 years. 
 
 PEMBROKE.* 
 
 The ancient SumooJc of the Indians was granted by the 
 name of Pembroke in May 1727, to sixty grantees. Its first 
 survey was made in 1728, and in the following year settle- 
 ments were commenced by several of the grantees, but that 
 town was not incorporated till Nov. 1, 1759. "As the origi- 
 nal settlers," says Farmer, " were composed of persons of 
 Scotch and English descent, foundations were early laid for 
 Presbyterian and Congregational churches. The Congrega- 
 tional church was organized March 1, 1737," having but nine 
 male members. The Rev. Aaron Whittemore, of Concord, 
 Ms., who graduated at Harvard 1734, was ordained the pas- 
 tor of the church, March 12, 1737. He exercised his minis- 
 try till Nov. 16, 1767, when he was seized with paralysis in 
 the puljnt, carried to his home, where he died the next morn- 
 ing, at the age of 55 years. No record of the statistics of 
 the church during Mr. Whittemore's ministry has been found. 
 A Presbyterian church was organized before the death of Mr. 
 Whittemore, but at what date and how large, no record 
 informs us, but on the 3d of December, 1760, Rev. Daniel 
 Mitchel, a native of Ireland, educated at Edinburgh, was 
 ordained as its pastor. He continued his ministry sixteen 
 years, when he was removed by death, Dec. 16, 1776, in the 
 69th year of his age. 
 
 The Rev. Jacob Emery succeeded Mr. Whittemore in the 
 pastorate of the Congregational church, Aug. 3, 1768, and 
 was dismissed March 23, 1775. He was a native of Ando- 
 ver, Ms., and graduated at Harvard 1761. The Rev. Mr. 
 Burnham, to whom we are indebted for many of the facts 
 embodied in this history, says in his anniversary sermon of 
 1821, " with what success the labors of these three ministers 
 were crowned I have not been able to learn, but the number 
 of the Congregational church when Mr. Emery was dismissed 
 was probably about 40, for this was the number five years 
 afterwards, when the Rev. Zaccheus Colby succeeded Mr. 
 Emery. 
 
 * Sketch by B. P. Sione, D.D. 
 
PEMBROKE. 403 
 
 Mr. Colby was ordained March 22, 1780, and was dismissed 
 May 11, 1803. He was a native of Newtown, N. H., a grad- 
 uate at Dartmouth 1777. Witliin throe or four years after 
 his settlement the Presbyterians united in his support, and 
 he administered to both churches, yet each retained its own 
 organization till 1798, when the Presbyterian church became 
 united with the Congregational in the support of public wor- 
 ship. The first year of his ministry, there was a revival which 
 resulted in the addition to the church of 30 members. Dur- 
 ing Mr. Colby's ministry 99 were added to the church, in- 
 cluding, as Mr. Burnham supposes, the Presbyterian mem- 
 bers ; 20 died, and 18 had moved away, leaving 101, of whom 
 46 were males. After the short lived unions of '94 and '97," 
 says Mr. Burnham, "we find again in 1800, two churches, 
 Congregational and Consociate. On the records of the Con- 
 gregational church, we find a few baptisms and additions by 
 neighboring clergymen from time to time down to 1805. 
 During the above named period we find nothing recorded of 
 the Consociate church but about 50 deaths, an unusual num- 
 ber for the time — a solemn warning, perhaps, to the ])eoplc 
 of God to cease from ecclesiastical strife.. From 1803 to 
 1807 both churches were destitute of pastors, the spirit of 
 bitterness and contention existed among them, religion 
 greatly languished, and the ways of Zion mourned ; but, 
 finally, after several meetings of the parties and mutual con- 
 cessions, they agreed to disband both organizations and to 
 form a new church. Accordingly, a council was called on 
 the 20th of August, 1807, whicli organized a new Congrega- 
 tional church out of materials which constituted the two old 
 churches. 
 
 The Kev. Abraham Burnham, a native of Dunbarton, who 
 graduated at Dartmouth college in 1804, and afterward 
 received the degree of D.D. from the same college, com- 
 menced preaching in Dec. 1807, and was ordained the pastor 
 of the church March 2, 1808. After a faithful and laborious 
 ministry of nearly forty three years, Dr. Burnham was dis- 
 missed at his own request by an ecclesiastical council, and 
 the Ptev. John H. Merrill was installed his successor by the 
 same council, Nov. 20, 1850. Dr. Burnham died Sept. 21, 
 1852, aged 76 years and 10 months. Mr. Merrill was dis- 
 missed June 1, 1853. The Eev. Robert Crossett having sup- 
 I^lied the pulpit several months, was installed the pastor of 
 the church March 16, 1854, and dismissed Oct. 8, 1855, at 
 his own request. The church is now destitute and in a some- 
 what dispirited state. 
 
 Like most of its sister churches, the church in Pembroke 
 
404 MERRIMACK COUNTY. 
 
 has seen a chequered life, enjoying seasons of great prosperity 
 when the candle of the Lord slione around it, and seasons 
 of trying adversity when its prospects were in a dark cloud. 
 During the long ministry of Dr. Burnham there were sev- 
 eral periods of revival interest enjoyed by the church, the 
 most extensive of which occurred in the years 1832, '3.3, '35 
 and '36. The largest number added to the church liy pro- 
 fession in any one ^'oar, was 38 in 1832. Dr. Burnham 
 received into the church during his ministry 423, of whom 
 303 made a public jirofession of their fliith in Clirist. The 
 whole number of baptisms he administered is 654, the most 
 of which were of children. During the short ministries of 
 Messrs. Merrill and Crossett, only 18 were added to the 
 church, of which 11 were by profession and 7 by letter, and 
 10 persons were baptized, making the whole number added 
 to the chui-ch from the commencement of Mr. Colby's min- 
 istry in 1780, to the dismission of Mr. Crossett in 1855, a 
 period of nearly seventy five years, 540, and the whole num- 
 ber of baptisms from the commencement of Dr. Burnham's 
 ministry to the present time, 664. The whole immber of 
 communicants, according to the last report to the General 
 Association, is 32 males and 92 females — total 124. As the 
 church was supposed to consist of 40 members when Mr, 
 Colby was settled in 1780, the whole number of members 
 connected with it since that time is 580 — of whom, it is 
 worthy of record, all but 157 entered the church in the last 
 43 years. The removals, then, by death, letter and exclu- 
 sion, in seventy five years, amount to 456, which is an aver- 
 age of about six members in a year. The average additions 
 for the same period is about seven and one fifth, exceeding 
 the average removals by little more than one member. 
 
 PITTSFIELD. 
 
 Rev. J. A Hood. 
 
 The town of Pittsfield was originally a part of Chichester. 
 The first settlers, however, were from Hampton Falls and 
 that vicinity. The time of the first settlement was not far 
 from 1770. The town was incorporated in 1782. On the 
 third of June 1782, the town met and voted to bmld a 
 Meeting-house for the Congregational society and locate it 
 where the present town house stands. At a town meeting 
 held Jan. 6, 1783, it was voted that the Meeting-house 
 should be built "of the same bigness of Hampton Falls 
 
PITT8FIELD. 405 
 
 Meeting-house." May 3, the town met and agreed to hire 
 Jonatliau Brown to keep school for six months at nine dol- 
 hxrs per month, and to hire a minister for two months. — 
 Sept. 16, 1784, the town met and passed this vote: "to take 
 some method to take care of those persons in town wlio 
 spend their time in idleness and are out of employment, 
 and set them to work," — a very ^\ase vote. Although the 
 town voted the same year of their incorporation to build a 
 Meeting-house for the Congregational society, they did not 
 raise it till the sirmmer of 1787, and it was not completed 
 till the spring of 1789. Sept. 17, 1787, the Congregational 
 society met at the corn barn of John Cram, Escp, and voted 
 to give Mr. Jacob Cram, who had been supplying them for 
 a few Sabbaths, a call : the call was not accepted. In 1788 
 the town voted to hire a Congregational minister for three 
 months. In 1789, after the Meeting-house was so nearly 
 finished that meetings could be held in it, the society voted 
 to give Mr. Christopher Paige of Hopkinton, a call to settle 
 with them, offering him a settlement of £ 60 and a salary 
 of £ 66 annually, a third to be paid in cash, a third to be 
 paid in good corn at 3s. per bushel and good rye at 4s. per 
 bushel, the other third in good beef at 20s. the cwt. Nov. 
 17, of the same year, a church of 10 members was organized 
 witlr the Congregational form of government, doctrine and 
 disci}iline. The council was composed of the following 
 churches : Deerfield, Loudon, Hopkinton, Epsom, Gilman- 
 ton, Pembroke and Hard wick. ■■•'•■ 
 
 Less than two years after the organization of the Congre- 
 gational church, we find the first date on the recwrds of the 
 Freewill Baptist church. When that church was organized 
 in this place, is not known ; probably, however, but a few 
 months after the Congregational church. Mr. Paige was 
 settled over tire Congregational church and society Isut about 
 six years. During his ministry, communion Sabbath was 
 the second Sabbath of each month, except December, Janu- 
 ary, February and March, during which four months no 
 communion was administered. His preparatory lecture was 
 on Thursday. He resided where widow John F. French 
 now owns and resides. Unhappy dissensions arose between 
 Mr. Paige and a portion of his people, and he was dismissed 
 Jan. 7, 1796. The number of admissions during his minis- 
 try was 14. 
 
 After Mr. Paige's dismission, there appears to have been 
 but little Congregational preaching till the year 1800. — 
 
 * The neijhborins churches of Chichesler, Barn.stead and NorUnvood iTcre nonhen 
 organized. 
 
 &' 
 
406 MERRIMACK COUNTY. 
 
 In the fill! of that year, Eev. Benjamin Sargent, a close 
 communion Baptist, came to sup];)ly the pulpit for another 
 person. His preaching was so acceptable that he was invited 
 to come again. In December tlie society voted him an invi- 
 tation to supply them for a year. This unusual invitation 
 was regarded by liim as an indication of Providence that he 
 should accept it. It led him to look into the subject of 
 close communion more carefully, and he became an open 
 communionist. Before Mr. Sargent moved with his family 
 to Pittsfield, in the beginning of the year 1801, the Congre- 
 gational church consisted of six males and eight females, 
 and there was not a Calvinist Baptist in town. In the 
 spring of 1801 there was a revival which added three persons 
 to the Congregational church. The rest of the converts, 
 seven males and fourteen females, were baptized by immer- 
 sion, and on October 29, of that year, Mr. Sargent and these 
 persons were gathered into an open communion Baptist 
 church. After the year 1801, and during Mr. Sargent's 
 ministry, 13 were added to the Congregational church and 
 six to the Baptist church. The v/hole number added to the 
 church during Mr. Sargent's ministry of eighteen years, was 
 44, 28 becoming open communion Baptists, 16 Congrega- 
 tionalists. 
 
 April 29, 1802, six months after the Baptist church was 
 organized, the two churches met at the Meeting-house. — 
 Deacon Perkins was chosen moderator, and they then mutu- 
 ally agreed and passed a vote to commune together at the 
 table of the Lord, but that each church should disctiiline 
 their own members. And ever afterwards during Mr. Sar- 
 gent's ministry, these two churches were accustomed to sit 
 around the same table, deacon Perkins of the Congregational 
 church and deacon James of the Baptist church, officiating 
 as deacons. This was making the Lord's table free to all 
 members of his evangelical church, and manifested Christian 
 grace and love. The two churches were equally united in 
 Mr. Sargent to the last. Sabbath afternoon, March 15, 
 1818, Mr. Sargent went to church in his usual health. His 
 text that afternoon was Isaiah 46, last two verses : while 
 dwelhng on the last clause he was seized with a fit of palsy, 
 which in a few moments deprived him of speech and reason. 
 He died the next Thursday. 
 
 After Mr. Sargent's death, diflSculties arose between the 
 Congregational and Baptist church. The former reasoned, 
 that as there were no Calvinist Baptists previous to Mr. 
 Sargent's coming, and as they had supported a Baptist min- 
 ister for seventeen years, that the Baptists ought to unite 
 
PITTSFIELD. 407 
 
 with them and support a Congregational minister. The 
 Baptists would not agree to this, and so hardness of feeling 
 arose, increased, and in seven months after Mr. Sargent's 
 death, the Calvinist Baptists, who for so many years had 
 met around the same Lord's table with the Congregational- 
 ists, were willing, with a few exceptions, to organize them- 
 selves into a close communion church. This they did Oct. 
 29, 1818. Their number was six males and about eleven 
 females. The Congregational church at this time numbered 
 six males and eleven females. 
 
 The same month that the Baptist church re-organized. 
 Mr. Abel Manning commenced preaching to the Congrega- 
 tional church. He says, " The Congregational Society 
 obtained leave to occupy the Meeting-house for two Sab- 
 baths, a new thing, and at once an unusual interest was 
 manifested and they suffered me to preach for four Sabbaths. 
 I left for six or seven weeks, and on my return found oppo- 
 sition somewhat rife." The first part of the next year 
 (1819) Mr. Manning supplied them about twenty Sabbaths. 
 and that year the society lost their parsonage lands winch 
 were given originally to assist Congregational ])reaching. 
 
 After Mr. Manning, different persons, till 1827, supplied 
 the church. The society was now so feel;)le that though 
 assisted by the Home Missionary Society, they could enjoy 
 but a few months preaching each year. Of the various per- 
 sons who supplied after Mr. Manning, Mr. S. M. AVheelock 
 appears to have been the most successful. He sujiplied for 
 a year or more, and the number of admissions during his 
 supply was ten. New Articles of Faith and Covenant were 
 adopted May 18, 1822, under Mr. Manning's administra- 
 tion ; the change, however, appears to have been made sim- 
 ply for brevity's sake. From 1819 to 1824, while the Con- 
 gregational and Baptist churches were struggling to maintain 
 preaching, the Freewill Baptist was prospering, but in 1824 
 that church was called upon in its turn to suffer severe trials 
 occasioned by one John A. Rollins, who came into the place 
 and promulgated wild and fanatical doctrines, and for three 
 years the church was troubled by dissensions. 
 
 In 1827, the Congregational church and society gave a call 
 to Mr. Ezra Sco^ille ; the call was accepted, and he was or- 
 dained and settled Nov. 21, 1827. His ministry was success- 
 ful but short, owing to the poverty of the society. He was 
 dismissed Sept. 14, 1829. During his ministry of two years, 
 twenty three were added to the church. June 12, 1832, Mr. 
 Preserved Smith was ordained to perform the work of an 
 evangehst with the Congregational church and society. He 
 
408 MERRIMACK COUNTY. 
 
 labored less than two years, but his labors were abundantly 
 prospered. Thirty six were added during his ministry, all 
 but four of wliom were on profession. 
 
 Eev. Jonathan Curtis, of Sliaron, Ms., was installed Octo- 
 ber, 1834. The church enjoyed some very marked visita- 
 tions of the Spirit during his ministry. The greatest addi- 
 tion ever made to this church in one year, was under Mr. 
 Curtis, in the year 1838. That year, forty three joined on 
 profession, one by letter, and this was a greater number than 
 the whole number of persons belonging to the church from 
 its organization to Mr. Sargent's death, a period of twenty 
 nine years. The whole number of admissions during the 
 eleven years of Mr. Curtis' ministry, was 165 ; 132 by pro- 
 fession and 33 by letter ; 79 of these are yet members of the 
 church, and constitute a little less than one half of the pres- 
 ent church members. The number of additions during Mr. 
 Curtis' ministry is only f uir less than the number of admis- 
 sions in the other fifty five years of the existence of the 
 church. On the 2d of May, 1838, the second Freewill Bap- 
 tist society was organized in Ijibljey's hall, with twelve males 
 and thirteen females. They immediately went forward and 
 built their present Meeting-house. So prosperous has this 
 church been, that the original church has been entirely ab- 
 sorbed by it and lost its visibility. The present Congrega- 
 tional Meeting-house was erected in the j'ear 1839, and the 
 Meeting-house, where for half a century the Congregational 
 society had worshiped, was purchased by the town for a town 
 house. Rev. Mr. Curtis was dismissed July 1, 1845, and Mr. 
 Moses H. Wells, of Deerficld, was ordained Nov. 19, of the 
 same year. During his ministry of eight years, 13 were 
 added by profession and 26 by letter. The society prospered 
 under his labors, and in 1851 the Meeting-house was en- 
 larged. Mr. Wells was dismissed on account of feeble health, 
 Dec. 5, 1853. Dec. 12, 1854, the present pastor of the 
 church. Rev. J. A. Hood, of Salem, Ms., was settled. It is 
 proper to add, in closing the history of this Congregational 
 church and society, that the society by the influx of popula- 
 tion, by the increased business of the place, and by the pow- 
 erful revivals occurring between the years 1827 and 1844, 
 has become one of the most prosperous societies in the State. 
 The church now numbers 167, and pays a salary of $650, 
 and the use of the parsonage. 
 
SALISBURY. 409 
 
 SALISBURY.* 
 
 Salisbury was originally granted by Massachusetts, under 
 the name of Bakers-town ; and again by the Masonian pro- 
 prietors Oct. 25, 1749, imder tho name of Stevens-town. 
 There were fifty seven grantees, of whom fifty four Ijelonged 
 to Kingston. It was incorporated by the government of 
 New Hampshire, March 1, 1768, under its present name. 
 Call, Meloon, Webster, Bohonon, and Eastman, are among 
 the names of the first settlers. Some of them were captured 
 by the Indians and carried to Canada, and sold to the 
 French, most of whom escaped and returned. At a meet- 
 ing of the proprietors, held in Portsmouth Oct. 25, 1749, 
 they decided that the town be divided into eighty shares, 
 and each share into four different lots, one of which should 
 contain sixty acres. In the arrangements made for the 
 drawincf of these lots, one share was reser\'ed for the first 
 minister of the gospel who should be settled on said land, 
 and should continue there during his life, or should be regu- 
 larly dismissed ; to be held by him, his heirs and assigns. 
 One other of said shares was reserved for the support of the 
 gospel forever. The sixty acre lots belonging to these shares 
 were to be laid out as near the place where the Meeting- 
 house should be built as convenient, or they miglit lie drawn 
 for as was arranged for the other lots. It was also voted, at 
 the same meeting, that there be ten acres of land left in some 
 convenient place, as shall be determined by a majority of the 
 grantees, for building a Meeting-house and school-house 
 upon, and for a training field, a burying place, and for other 
 public use. In 17G8, at two town meetings the people voted 
 to raise money for preaching. Of one of these meetings 
 Ebenezer Webster was moderator. Being without a Meet- 
 ing-house, it was voted " that the meeting should be held at 
 the house of Andrew Pettingill, five Sabbaths from the date 
 hereof" Voted also, that the committee "discourse with 
 Mr. Searle" before applying to any other candidate. 
 
 Jan. 14, 1771, it was voted to give Mr. John Elliot a call 
 to settle in the town of Salisbury in the work of the minis- 
 try, in the Congregational order. They made provision for 
 his support, and the selectmen were made a committee to 
 communicate their doings to Mr. Elliot and obtain his an- 
 swer. In his answer Mr. Elhot says, after proposing condi- 
 tions somewhat more favorable to himself — " If you will 
 comply with these terms, then, from these outward, and 
 
 * Sketch by Rev. B, F. Foster. 
 
 27 
 
410 MERRIMACK COUNTY. 
 
 many inward reasons, I shall think it my duty to devote my 
 life to the gospel ministry among yon." His proposals were 
 acceded to, and September 10 was fixed for his ordination. 
 Five pounds was voted to defray the ordination charges. 
 Before September came, Mr. Elliot petitioned for an ar- 
 ticle to be inserted in a warrant for a town meeting, " To 
 see if the town would grant liim a dismission for reasons that 
 he might assign." The meeting was held July 8. His rea- 
 sons then given were : 1st, " My want of health of body to 
 carry on my studies." 2d, " Because of an entire change in 
 my mind in respect to my call to preach and labor in said 
 place among them as their minister, and because I cannot 
 stay unless 1 am forced utterly against my present mind, as 
 I am not a volunteer in the place, and as I am convinced 
 that this is not the place that the great Grovernor of the 
 world has appointed for my labors." These reasons were 
 deemed quite sufficient, and Mr. Elliot was released from his 
 obligation. He gave up his claim to any pubhc lands by \ar- 
 tue of his being the first minister. 
 
 Oct. 2, 1772, Mr. Jonathan Searlo was called to the work 
 of the ministry. A salary of £ 50 was voted him, to be in- 
 creased, after two years, £ 5 a year till it amounted to sixty 
 pounds ; and twenty five cords of wood annually delivered 
 at his house. Mr. Searle was ordained Nov. 17, 1773. A 
 church was organized on the same day, by the same council 
 that ordained Mr. Searle, consisting of eleven male members. 
 The Meeting-house in wliich Mr. Searle preached, was locat- 
 ed upon a very high hill some three miles from the eastern 
 line of the town. It was never finished. It was sold in 1790 
 at auction. The avails, after ])aying the pew owners, were 
 given to the schools. Notwithstanding the distance at wliich 
 many Uved from the Meeting-house, and the destitution of 
 the means of conveyance, and the difficulty of ascending the 
 hill, when the Sabbath came, men, women and children, on 
 foot, on horseback, and often, in winter, on ox sleds, made 
 their way to their unfinished house of worship, eager to hear 
 the gospel. Mr. Searle was dismissed Nov. 8, 1791, for the 
 alleged reason of insufficient health to continue in so exten- 
 sive a charge. He died in 1818, aged 74 j^ears. It is sad to, 
 say, he lost his Christian standing by intemperance. His sun 
 went down in great darlmess. 
 
 Mr. Thomas Worcester was employed three months on 
 probation in April, 1791. He was invited to settle in Sep- 
 tember following. This invitation was accompanied by an 
 offer of £ 120 lawful money as a settlement, and £ 80 as a 
 yearly salary as long as a majority of the church and town 
 
 a 
 
SALISBURY. 411 
 
 sliould desire his continuance. He was ordained Nov. 9, 
 1791, by the same council that dismissed Mr. Searle. He 
 was dismissed April 3, 1823, after a ministry of thirty two 
 yeare. 
 
 A little previous to the date of Mr. Worcester's settle- 
 ment, two new houses of worship had been built in the town, 
 one at the South Koad viUage, so called, the other at the 
 Center Road viUage. The erection of tivo houses was occa- 
 sioned by a disagreement among the people upon the ques- 
 tion of the location of o??e. Mr. Worcester preached at the 
 South Eoad. The other became a Baptist house. Mr. Wor- 
 cester was settled at the early age of twenty three years. 
 His youthful appearance and limited opportunities for an 
 education, caused some hesitation with the council as to 
 ordaining him. They however yielded to the desires of the 
 people. The congregation that attended upon his preaching 
 for many years was large. He was a faithful and laborious 
 pastor. His pulpit addresses were attractive, earnest, direct. 
 All were interested, many deeply moved. During his min- 
 istrj' there were several seasons of the special outpouring of 
 the Holy Spirit. An extensive revival of religion occurred 
 very soon after his settlement, as the fruits of which, over 
 eighty were received into the church. Another special work 
 of grace occurred about the year 1815, when more than sixty 
 made public profession of their faith. There were 268 re- 
 ceived into the church during his ministr}^ He adminis- 
 tered baptism to 322 children ; solemnized 307 marriages ; 
 and attended tvcenty five ecclesiastical councils abroad, some 
 of them at great distances. 
 
 It is known by many that before Mr. Worcester's dismis- 
 sion he had departed from the faith as held by him at his 
 ordination, and as held by the church. Out of this change 
 grew dissatisfaction and embarrassment in the church. A 
 council was finally called to consider their circumstances, 
 and to advise in respect to Mr. Worcester's dismission. It 
 was an able council. Rev. Daniel Dow, D.D. was modera- 
 tor. In their result the council say, " While we arc happy 
 to find no specific charges are preferred against Mr. Worces- 
 ter, seriously affecting his moral and Christian character, they 
 are constrained to confess that in the course of his proceed- 
 ings of recent date, there occur some deviations from strict 
 consistency and propriety. These howe^^er they are inclined, 
 to ascribe, in a considerable degree, to mistaken views, to 
 bodily infirmities, and to the agitation and distress of mind 
 excited hj the thought of sej)aration from a beloved people. 
 We joyfully pay our tribute of respect to Mr. Worcester, and 
 
412 MERRIMACK COUNTY. 
 
 to liis assiduity and tenderness as a pastor. We rejoice in 
 the signal blessing with which it has pleased a sovereign God 
 to crown his labors in years that are past. In commending 
 him as a minister of the gosj)el, faithfulness to our Divine 
 Master and to the sacred cause of truth constrain us to ex- 
 cept his dereliction from the doctrine of the proper Deity of 
 Jesus Christ, — a doctrine, concerning which, we hesitate not 
 to aver that, in our view, it constitutes the grand foundation 
 of the gospel scheme, and of the sinner's hope. Yet here it 
 is our duty, and our pleasure to add, that the de'V'iation is not 
 in this case accompanied, as it usually is, with an abandon- 
 ment of other distinguishing and glorious doctrines of the 
 gos]3el." 
 
 After some years of sepai-ation from the church, Mr. Wor- 
 cester returned and died in full communion. It is not, how- 
 ever, known that he relinquished the views referred to in the 
 foregoing extract from the Kesult of Council. 
 
 The church was not relieved from all its difficulties by Mr. 
 Worcester's dismission. He had, on his own individual res- 
 ponsibility, altered the creed of the church, so that there 
 might be nothing found in it to stand in the way of any per- 
 sons assenting to it who professed conversion. The church 
 were dissatisfied with the creed in this altered form, but 
 found it difficult to restore it to its original form. Conse- 
 quently, they called a council of ad\dce Dec. 25, 1823. Dr. 
 Samuel Worcester was moderator, and Rev. Abraham Burn- 
 ham scribe. In their call they say: "The object of this 
 council is, that they may review our Christian fellowship with 
 the sister churches, and give us their advice as to what mea- 
 sures we shall take in our present, peculiar trials, that we 
 may act in concert with our brethren abroad, while we seek 
 to promote the best interests of our divine Redeemer, in pro- 
 moting his cause among ourselves, and also among this peo- 
 ple." By this council the church was declared to be the First 
 Congregational church in Salislsury in regular standing, and, 
 as such, it was recommended to the Christian feUowship of 
 sister churches. They expressed the earnest hope, that none 
 would neglect to unite in re-settling the gospel, "as the 
 connection between them and their late pastor was regularly 
 dissolved l;)y the venerable council of April last." 
 
 March 24th, 1824, Mr. Abijah Cross was settled as pastor 
 of the church. He was dismissed April 1, 1829. Soon after 
 the settlement of Mr. Cross, the church adopted a creed 
 fully expressing orthodox views as the views of the church. 
 At the time of his settlement, there were eighty eight mem- 
 bers of the church supposed to be resident in town. Seven- 
 
SALISBUEY. 413 
 
 teen were added during liis pastorate. During liis ministry, 
 an effort was made by the Rev. Benjamin Huutoon, a Uni- 
 tarian clergyman, to organize a Unitarian cliurch. He suc- 
 ceeded in finding five individuals, most or all of whom had 
 withdrawn from the church, and formed them into a Unita- 
 rian church, and they had preaching half of the time for a 
 year or so. 
 
 Eev. Andrew Eanbin succeeded Mr. Cross. He was in- 
 stalled July 11th, 1830. He was dismissed Oct. 1832. 
 During his pastorate, 17 were admitted to the church by 
 profession, and 11 by letter. During his ministry there was 
 a pleasing state of rehgious interest, in which about twenty 
 individuals are supposed to have been hop)efully converted. 
 
 Eev. B. F. Foster was settled pastor of the church Nov. 
 13, 1833, and continued in this relation thirteen years — was 
 dismissed by mutual council July 23, 1846. There were 80 
 admitted to the church by him — 40 on profession of their 
 faith, and 40 by letter. Several seasons of imirsual religious 
 interest occurred during his ministry, the most marked of 
 which was in the winter of 1842-3. As the fruits of this 
 revival, about twenty were admitted to the church in the 
 course of a few months. Others have since come in who 
 then entertained hope. Nov. 7th, 1846, a call was extended 
 to Eev. Moses Kimball to become their pastor, but the call 
 was not accepted. Eev. E. H. CasweU was ordained pastor 
 June 28, 1848, and was dismissed by mutual council in Feb- 
 ruary following. Four were admitted to the church by pro- 
 fession and one by letter. 
 
 Eev. E. D. Eldredge was installed pastor of this church 
 June 12, 1849. He was dismissed, on account of ill health, 
 by mutual council Nov. 1, 1854. During the ministry of 
 Mr. Eldredge, 26 were received into the church, — 19 by pro- 
 fession and four by letter. The labors of Mr. Eldredge were 
 very useful to the church and acceptable to the people gen- 
 erally, and it was with much regret that they yielded to his 
 rec[uest to discontinue his connection with them. The church 
 is now without a pastor. 
 
 The Congregational church in Salisbury has been in exist- 
 ence eighty two years ; 449 have been received into it since 
 its formation ; it has had seven pastors. Various influences 
 have operated against its prosperity and enlargement, in the 
 moral dereliction of its first pastor, the doctrinal change of 
 its second, the frequent changes subsequently, and the rise 
 of various other denominations. The income of the land 
 oi-iginally granted for the support of the gospel, also, is now 
 claimed and shared by at least six different societies. The 
 
414 MERRIMACK COUNTY. 
 
 mimber in the church is now only 88, but a happy state of 
 unanimity exists, and a strong purpose to sustain thegospel 
 among them. It has always borne a liberal and an intelli- 
 gent part in carrying forward the benevolent objects of the 
 present day. The lambs of the ilock arc generally consecra- 
 ted in baptism, to the Great Shepherd. There is cause of 
 gratitude to Plim who planted this vine in the wilderness, 
 who has watered and nourished it, who stiH spreads out its 
 branches, that liis friends may sit under it with delight. 
 He makes it yet to stand, a pillar and ground of the truth ; 
 a break-water to the surging waves of wickedness. Seven 
 natives of the town have become ministers, — one is a Unita- 
 rian, the others Orthodox Congregationalists : — two are 
 dead; four are still living, actively engaged in their high 
 calling. The hill on which the first Meeting-house was 
 built is called " Searle's hill." From this hill a very exten- 
 sive view may be taken of the town. A little plat of ground 
 surrounded by a stone wall, contains the ashes of the first 
 dead of the place. No monument reveals their names. The 
 owner of the land instinctively forbears to break the soil 
 with his plow, lest he should disturb the quiet of the sleep- 
 ers beneath. This burying place is a fit emblem of the 
 obscurity which will hereafter rest upon the memory of us 
 all. 
 
 WAENEE. 
 
 Rev. H. O. HowLAND. 
 
 The Congregational church in Warner was gathered Feb. 
 5, 1772, two years before the town was incorporated, and 
 Eev. William Kelly ordained the same day. The church 
 had no particular confession of faith, and parents were allow- 
 ed to offer their children in baptism on the half way cove- 
 nant. The whole number of members in full communion 
 probably did not exceed 30. Mr. Kelly was settled by the 
 town. The charter of the town required the grantees to 
 settle in it forty families, within three years, each having a 
 house 18 feet long and 16 wide and three acres under tillage, 
 also that they lay out three rights or shares, one for the use 
 of the first settled minister, one for the use of the ministry 
 in toivn forever, and one for the use C)f schools ; that they 
 build a Meeting-house, settle and maintain "a learned 
 orthodox preacher" from and ever after the term of three 
 years, from the date of the grant. During the first part of 
 Mr. Kelly's ministry the people were united, peaceful and 
 
WARNEE. 415 
 
 happy. But after about twenty years, sectarian delusion 
 began to spiread, and it was represented as oppressive to be 
 Jegally taxed to piay for preaching. People might give what 
 they pleased, but, to be taxed ivas tyranny. Mr. Kelly, 
 without relinquishing his contract, was willing they should 
 try the plan of voluntary giving ; but the whole amount he 
 received in a year did not exceed $ 60, and that chiefly from 
 those who were willing to be taxed. Near the commence- 
 ment of the year 1801, Mr. Kelly asked a dismission, which 
 took place in March following, and the arrearage of his sal- 
 ary was collected by a suit at law against the town. This 
 raised a p)opular clamor against Congregational ministers 
 and gave sectarians an advantage which they were willing 
 to improve. To pay Mr. Kelly and defray the expense of 
 the lawsuit, the town sold the right reserved "for the use 
 of the ministry forever," and apphed so much of the proceeds 
 as was necessary to liquidate the debt. A small surplus of 
 two or three hundred dollars was put on interest. 
 
 In 1813 the interest had accumulated to about one hun- 
 dred dollars, and the selectmen expended it in employing 
 Mr. John Woods, a young man just licensed to preach, 
 eight Sabbaths. He was afterward employed several Sab- 
 baths by the assessors of a society which had just been incor- 
 porated. In the mean time a town meeting was notified 
 and held, which voted him a call and a salary. But oppo- 
 sition arose, and at a subsequent meeting the call from the 
 town was re-considered. But the church and society had so 
 increased in numbers and strength that they united in giv- 
 ing him a call, with an ofter of $400 yearly as a salary. — 
 Mr. Woods left them with the promise that he would see 
 them again. He was immediately employed in Massachu- 
 setts, where he was offered $700 yearly with a liberal settle- 
 ment, which he made up his mind to accept. But on re\ds- 
 iting Warner, he found such a readiness to remove objections 
 and introduce articles of faith corresponding with his views, 
 that he reversed his decision and the next Sabbath gave 
 them an affirmative answer, and was ordained June 22, 
 1814. His labors were soon blest with a revival of religion 
 and numbers were added to the church. The practice of 
 examining candidates in the presence of the church was 
 introduced, and attracted considerable attention. The con- 
 nection between the doctrines of grace and Christian expe- 
 rience was pointed out, and the church, which had been 
 leaning towards Arminianism, became, almost to a man, 
 sound in the faith. 
 
 Mr. Woods' connection with his people was pleasant, 
 
416 MERRIMACK COUNTY. 
 
 harmonious and affectionate. But the society, always feehle, 
 in the course of a few years was much weakened by deaths 
 and removals ; and from year to year an arrearage was accu- 
 mulating, until the society felt unable to bear or remove the 
 burden. The Association of ministers being about to meet 
 in the place, it was thought expedient to ask the advice 
 of a council, hoping that some way might be pointed out by 
 which help might be obtained. But the wisdom of wise 
 men fiiiled. There was then no benevolent society from 
 which aid could be expected. Mr. Woods' dismission took 
 place, June 1823, and was to the people very unexpected, 
 and many began immediately to inquire, "Why do you let 
 him go ? " And such offers were made relative to aid in 
 supporting him that a subscription was started, wliich was 
 soon tilled — the numbers subscribing for his support being 
 more than three times as many as had aided in supporting 
 him previous to his dismission. But the arrearage stiU 
 remained unpaid, and, for tJiat reason, he thought it his duty 
 to accept a call from anotlier people. The house in which 
 Mr. Woods was ordained, and in which he preached with but 
 little interruption for about four years, was built by pew 
 holders, but was controlled by the town. In 1817 he was 
 laid by from preaching, by ill health, for about a year, and 
 other denominations, more particularly Universahsts, rushed 
 in and claimed the right to occupy whenever they pleased ; 
 although it was well known that the house was built by and 
 for Congregationahsts and that they owned seven-eights of 
 the pews. This led the Congregational church and society 
 to abandon the old house and to erect a new one, which was 
 dedicated Oct. 20, 1819. It cost $2,400. This house was 
 afterwards removed to a more convenient location in the vil- 
 lage, where it is now occupied by the church and congregation. 
 Since the dismissal of Kev. Mr. Woods, the following men 
 have been installed pastors of the church : Jubilee Wellman, 
 installed Sept. 26, 1827, dismissed Feb. 15, 1837 ; Amos 
 Blanchard, installed Feb. 15, 1837, dismissed Dec. 10, 1839 ; 
 James W. Perkins, installed March 4, 1840, dismissed Jan. 
 30, 1846 ; Robert W. FuUer, instaUed June 10, 1846, dis- 
 missed Oct. 24, 1850 ; Harrison 0. Howland, installed Jan. 
 4, 1854. When Mr. Wellman commenced his labors here 
 a revival immediately followed, as the fruits of which 29 
 were added to the church. In 1831-2 revivals were again 
 enjoyed under his ministry, from the fruits of which 48 were 
 added to the church. If we except the year 1830, additions 
 to the church were made annually during his labors ; amount- 
 ing in all to 111, but few of whom came by letter. The 
 
WILMOT. 417 
 
 cliurch was very much strcngtlioneil during the niinlsti'y of 
 Mr. AVelhuan. A revival was enjoyed during the ministry 
 of Rev. Mr. Blanchard, and again in 1842 during the min- 
 istry of Rev. Mr. Perkins. Since 1842 no revival has been 
 enjoyed here. Five members of tliis cluirch liave entered 
 the ministry. Present number of tlie church is 125. The 
 pastor's salar)' is §500. 
 
 WILMOT.* 
 
 The Congregational church in Wilmot was organized Jan. 
 1, 1829, with seven members, two males and iive females, all 
 by letter from neighboring churches. The excellent l!ev. 
 John S. Winter, then preaching in Danbury, by occasional 
 visits and preaching in Wilmot, was the instrument in gath- 
 ering these persons into a church, and served as their moder- 
 ator for several years. Baptists and others were found here, 
 had churches and occasional preaching. This church existed 
 without a pastor until about 1838, vath only occasional and 
 transient supplies, among whom was Eev. James Hobart for 
 a short time. In 1838 Eev. Jolm Clark was elected pastor, 
 and labored with good success among them until 1842. 
 
 March 13, 1843, Eev. Nathan Howard, of Andover, was 
 chosen pastor and ordained and hired to supply their ])ul- 
 pits, one year at a time, to labor one half the time with the 
 church in Andover, and the other half in Wilmot. In 1849, 
 Eev. C. W. Eichardson was employed for one year the whole 
 time, and labored with good success. For two years, com- 
 mencing May 1850, Eev. Eeuben Kimball supjjlied this 
 church one half, and since 1852 has supplied them for the 
 whole time until Dec. 1, 1855. 
 
 This church has no parsonage or funds. Thej^ are scat- 
 tered over a long extent of territory north and south among 
 the mountains and vallies, are hardy, industrious and enter- 
 prising, Inrt not wealthy. They prize the institutions of relig- 
 ion as indispensable to their comfort, and can raise about 
 $ 200 for the support of the gos2:)el. They worship in two, 
 and sometimes in three union houses. Contributions to be- 
 nevolent objects have not been regidar or abundant. The 
 whole number of members of the church from its organiza- 
 tion is 60 — present mumber is 30. Number of infant bap- 
 tisms 38. Baptisms on profession, 14. Number of men 
 furnished for the ministry by the town is three. 
 
 » Sketch by Rev. R. Kimball. 
 
418 
 
 MEEEIMACK COUNTY. 
 
 Several seasons of revival have been enjoyed, which have 
 added numbers to this and to other churclies in town. In 
 regard to intemperance, morals and education, and good order, 
 society is obviously advancing. But the influence of union, 
 instead of independent houses of worship, is decidedly unfa- 
 vorable to the progress of pure Christianity in this commu- 
 nity, insomuch that many citizens seem to think they discov- 
 er so much of what looks to them like religious jealousy 
 and sectarian strife, that they stand aloof from the means 
 of grace — a poor, narrow covering for any neglect of duty on 
 their part. 
 
€0in!tii 
 
 ACWORTH. 
 
 Rev. E. S. Weight. 
 
 The town of Acworth received its charter in the year 1776. 
 It was not permanently settled nntil the summer of 1778. 
 The first town meeting was held March 12, 1771. The ear- 
 ly settlers of the town were principally from Londonderry, in 
 this State, and from Windham and Ashford, in Connecticut. 
 
 The present Congregational church was organized March 
 12, 1773. The day was ohserved with fasting and prayer. 
 Eight persons, having suhscrihed to the covenant, were duly 
 constituted in the church relation, by the assistance of Eev. 
 Bulkley Olcott, and Eev. George AVheaton. The names of 
 tills little company are as follows : Henry Silshy, Thomas 
 Putnam, Samuel Silsby, Dean Carlcton, Bethiah Silsby, Ra- 
 chel Putnam, Elizabeth Silsby, Anna Cross. In 1781, a plan 
 of church government was adopted, which combines a mix- 
 ture of the Congregational and Presbyterian systems. The 
 only feature of Presbyterianism now remaining, relates to 
 matters of church discipline. The pastor and deacons con- 
 stitute the church session, to whom difficidtics are first re- 
 ferred and decided, unless there is an a])peal to the church; 
 in which case, the Congregational method is pursued. In 
 many instances, the practical results of this mixed mode of 
 government have been highly conducive to the peace of the 
 church. Difficulties, which, if at once presented before the 
 church as a body, would have produced an agitation for 
 months or perhaps years, have been cj^uietly adjusted in a 
 short time. 
 
 Eev. Thomas Archibald, a native of Londonderry, and a 
 graduate of Cambridge college, was the first settletl pastor. 
 He was ordained Nov. 11, 1789. At this time, the church 
 consisted of fifty eight members. His ministry continued 
 only four years, and during tliis period, but ten were added 
 to the church. He was dismissed June 14, 1794. 
 
 On the 14th of June, 1797, after just three years, Eev. 
 John Kimball became the pastor of this people. He was a 
 
420 SULLIVAN COUNTY. 
 
 native of Massachusetts, and a graduate of Cambridge college. 
 His theological sentiments were regarded as somewhat Ar- 
 minian, and as a consequence, many of the prominent points 
 of the Calvinistic system were in a measure suppressed in the 
 pulilic preaching of the Word. From all we can learn of the 
 habitual character of his preaching, we should judge that it 
 was more distinctly practical than doctrinal, and tending 
 more to the proper regulation of the outward life, than to a 
 deep and thorough sense of the utter depravity of the heart, 
 and of the need of sovereign grace, as the only ground of ac- 
 ceptance with Grod. His labors however, were in some mea- 
 sure blessed to the people ; and a mutual attachment sub- 
 sisted between pastor and people, which is still cherished by 
 a few survivors. His ministry continued sixteen years. Dur- 
 ing this time, sixty four were added to the church. He suf- 
 fered much from bodily infirmity during the last few years 
 of his ministry, and, in consequence of the disability thus oc- 
 casioned for the full discharge of his pastoral duties, he was 
 dismissed by mutual consent, May 4, 1813. He removed to 
 Littleton, Ms., his native town, where he continued to reside 
 until his death, which occurred a few years since. 
 
 Soon after the dismission of Kev. Mr. Kimball, G-od, in 
 his providence, sent to this people a pastor, who in the re- 
 sult 2)roved to be one, whose ministry was to mould the re- 
 ligious charactei' and habits of the people, more effectually 
 than any which had preceded it. The Rev. Phineas Cooke, 
 having been converted while pursuing the study of the law 
 in Keene, and having turned his attention to theology, was 
 licensed to preach the gospel, by the Monadnock Association, 
 in October, 1812. In July 181.3, he was invited to preach 
 in this place, the previous minister having just been dis- 
 missed. All things now conspired to show that God had 
 raised up, and cpialified this devoted servant of Christ, for 
 tliis field of labor. The hearts of the people were made 
 ready for his coming. On the Sabbath of his introduction 
 here, a full house indicated the public interest in the stran- 
 ger. The congregation presented an unusual, and deeply 
 affecting appearance. More than half were clad in the ha- 
 biliments of mourning. The spotted fever had swept away 
 in one j'ear, sixty six persons, out of a population of only 
 fourteen hundred. The hearts of the people were softened 
 by affliction ; and they were prepared to give earnest atten- 
 tion to the instructions of the pulpit. The sympathies of 
 the afflicted soon coalesced with those of the messenger of 
 mercy, who entered the abodes of sufiering, and the houses 
 of mourning, to give "beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for 
 
ACWORTH. 421 
 
 mourning, and the garment of praise for tlie spirit of lioavi- 
 ness." 
 
 After spending fourteen months with the people, Mr. 
 Cooke was ordained Sept. 7, 1814. At the time of his set- 
 tlement, jjohtical feehng ran so high, that it well nigh coun- 
 teracted the effect which the preaclier's labors had produced 
 in harmonizing the religious feelings of the people. An ora- 
 tion which Mr. Cooke had delivered in Koene, of a political 
 nature, had been published, and had preceded him here. — 
 And though published before his conversion, or at least be- 
 fore he commenced the ministry, the old leaven still per- 
 vaded the public mind. Consequently, as he was settled by 
 vote of the town, political parties arrayed themselves nuich 
 as though they v\-ere about to choose a political magistrate. 
 It is said, that the moderator could not declare the vote 
 until a division of the people was made, one i)arty passing 
 to the right hand and the other to the left. At length, Mr. 
 Cooke was chosen minister of the people, by a majorily of 
 only one. 
 
 The ordination services were licld on a platf.irm outside 
 the Meeting-house. It was supposed, that more than twen- 
 ty iive hundred persons were ju'csent. The sermon was 
 preached by Dr. Seth Payson of Rindge, from Gal. 4 : IG, — 
 "Am I become your enemy because I tell you the truth.?" 
 The choice of the peop)le was soon contirmed by a special 
 blessing resting upon their pastor's lal)ors. At the first 
 communion in October following, sixteen persons were added 
 to the church by a public profession. For three successive 
 years, the Holy Spirit continued to manifest his presence. 
 Mr. Cooke remarks, in his farewell sermon, preached, March 
 8, 1829, as follows : " The cloud of Di\ane mercy came over 
 us, and rested, not as did the sun in Gibeon, and the moon 
 in the valley of Ajalon, for a lengthened day, but for three 
 whole years. 0, those years of the right hand of the Most 
 High ! My soul hath them still in rememlirance." During 
 the year 1815, thirty two ; 181G, twenty five ; and 1817, six- 
 ty five were added to the church. In the year 1815, on the 
 communion Sabbath, an instance of the force of Divine truth 
 when accompanied by the Spirit of God, occurred, which is 
 worthy of record. The communion table was spread with 
 the customary emblems ; and several persons were propound- 
 ed for admission to the church on the occasion. The house 
 was filled with attentive souls. When the text was an- 
 nounced, " Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by ?" a 
 death-like stillness is said to have ensued. The whole ser- 
 vice, and the whole day were marked with unusual soli'umi- 
 
422 SULLIVAN COUNTY. 
 
 ty. On examining candidates for the church afterwards, 
 fourteen individuals referred to the sermon preached on that 
 morning, as tlie principal cause of arresting their attention. 
 A long revival followed, wliich embraced several of the pub- 
 lic schools, ami which did not reach its height until the win- 
 ter of 1817. Such was the wonderful result of the outpour- 
 ing of the Spirit during tliese three years of revival, that the 
 church which had numbered only seventy members, increased 
 during this time to two himdred and twelve. 
 
 From this time, until the year 1826, no general revival 
 was enjoyed. In October of this year a work of grace began, 
 which continued until the spring of 1827. Not far from 
 eighty persons expressed hope, of which number forty four 
 were added to the church. In 1821 a new and commodious 
 Meeting-house was built, which still remains in its primitive 
 proportions and ample dimensions, Eev. Mr. Cooke con- 
 tinued to be the pastor of the church, enjoying the confi- 
 dence and affection of the people, until March 1829, a period 
 of fourteen years and a half from his settlement. 
 
 From Acwortli. he removed to Lebanon, where he labored 
 long and successfully. Ho was dismissed from Lebanon, in 
 May 1848. In the following month he removed to the north 
 parish in Amherst, Ms., where his eldest son was settled in 
 the ministry. He was almost constantly employed by va- 
 cant churches in the region. His last sermon was preached 
 in the First parish, in Amherst, where he had been supply- 
 ing for three months. After an illness of little nrore than a 
 month, he died at his residence in North Amherst, April 28, 
 1853, at half past 6 o'clock, P. M., in perfect resignation and 
 peace. Agreeably to his recpiest his remains were conveyed 
 to Aeworth, to rest among the peo23le of his former charge. 
 An appropriate monument is al^out to be erected to his 
 memory, as a token of their respect and esteem. 
 
 Eev. M(.ises Grosvenor was settled over this church and 
 society, Oct. 14, 1829. His ministry continued about three 
 years and a half. During this time, a revival of religion oc- 
 curred, which resulted in the hopeful conversion of many j)er- 
 sons, some of whom were heads of families, and in the acces- 
 sion to the church of some who, under the jirevious ministry, 
 had failed to share in the blessings of those marked and pow 
 eiful revivals. He was dismissed April 25, 1832. 
 
 The Eev. Joseph Merrill, formerly of Dracut, Ms. was set- 
 tled Oct. 16, 1833. The ministry of Mr. Merrill continued 
 nearly five years, during which period he was favored with 
 the confidence and affection of the people, and was blessed 
 with an interesting work of grace. The revival alluded to 
 
ACWOUTH. 423 
 
 began in the nse of the ordinary means of grace, with the 
 exception of a church visitation and a four-days-meeting, 
 during wliich neighboring brethren were invited to preach. 
 The closing day of the meeting forty or fifty persons assem- 
 bled in the town house for religious conversation and inquiry, 
 while the church engaged in prayer. Just at this time, the 
 Kev. Mr. Burchard, a noted evangelist came into the region. 
 He was holding a meeting at Springfield, Vt., about twelve 
 miles distant. Many of the people, in the glow of their 
 religious interest, were anxious to have him visit this place. 
 He accordingly was invited to come, a majority of the clmrch 
 voting in favor of his coming. When he came, there were 
 some who were not satisfied with him. Some of the most 
 substantial members of the church stood aloof Tliey felt 
 that they could not conform to his jieculiar measures. But 
 still, God so overruled, that the work of grace went on, and 
 a large number were added to the church. In a letter to 
 the present pastor, in reference to the labors of Mr. Burchard 
 here, Mr. Merrill remarks as follows : " I should judge that 
 some became Christians, who apparently would not under 
 ordinary means. Still I have thought that we should liave 
 prospered as well upon the whole, if we had gone on in our 
 own way. Some have attributed my dismission to his lafiors 
 in Acworth ; and, he himself was apprehensive of it. But, 
 there were other causes, if this had any influence." Mr. 
 Merrill was dismissed July 11, 1838. 
 
 For three years, the church was without a pastor. During 
 this time, the services of the Sabbath were sustained by the 
 ofiicers and members of the church, when without a stated 
 supply. Most of the time however, the pulpit was supjdied. 
 At length Rev. Thomas Edwards was settled, Aug. 19, 1841. 
 He was dismissed Feb. 16, 1843. The organization of a 
 Methodist society soon after Mr. Edwards commenced his 
 labors, and the withdrawal of some persons from the Con- 
 gregational church for the purpose of connecting themselves 
 with the Methodists, gave rise to some difficulties in regard 
 to church order and discipline ; which, together with other 
 unfavorable circumstances, did not allow the pastor to remain 
 long enough to make full proof of his ministry among the 
 people. Rev. R. W. Fuller followed Mr. Edwards as a stated 
 supply. He remained about two years, during which time 
 there were c|uite a number of hopcfid conversions, and sev- 
 eral additions to the church. 
 
 In August 1845, the present pastor. Rev. Edwin S. Wright, 
 a graduate of Union college, commenced his labors. Having 
 preached nineteen Sabbaths, he received a unanimous call to 
 
424 SULLIVAN COUNTY. 
 
 settle among tliem, and was ordained as pastor Jan. 7, 1846. 
 The churcli at this time nnmbered 160 members, and a gen- 
 eral state of harmony and peace existed. In August 1847, 
 a revival of religion was enjoyed, which resulted in about forty 
 hopeful conversions. Twenty five of this number were added 
 to the church at a subsequent period. In the fall of 1852 
 the church was visited again with the outpouring of the 
 Holy Spirit, in still greater fullness and power. This revival 
 extended into the spring of 18.53. It was marked by great 
 stillness and solemnity." No special means were employed 
 except such as were consistent with the increasing demand for 
 meetings of religious inquiry, and more frecpient instruction 
 in social meetings. Occasional preaching was also enjoyed 
 from neighboring pastors. Nearly 70 persons indulged hopes 
 during this revival ; and 41 were added to the church by 
 the public profession of religion. It was a precious season. 
 Tlie church now numbers about two hundred members. The 
 whole number of members who have been added to the 
 church since its organization is 693. Comparing the num- 
 ber added during ten years in the early period of the church, 
 with the number added f 3r the last ten years, we find that 
 there is not a very marlvcd difference. The population of 
 the town has been lessened by emigration, within a few years, 
 but not to such an extent as to make an essential difference in 
 the comparative result of religious influence. From 1807 
 to 1817, 83 were added to the church. From 1844 to 1854, 
 104 were added. 
 
 The whole number of infimt baptisms, since the church 
 was organized, is 1150. The sum contributed to benevolent 
 objects has averaged, for the last ten years, about $225 an- 
 nually. The average attendance on public worship in the 
 evangelical churches, is not far from three hundred and fifty. 
 Of this number the average attendance upon the worship of 
 the Congregational church, is about two hundred and fifty. 
 The other societies are feeble ; and neither of them maintain 
 constant preaching. The proportion of the population of the 
 town within the bounds of the Congregational parish, is about 
 two thirds. Eight persons have been furnished for the min- 
 istry, from the town, since the church was organized, most of 
 whom are still living, and occupying important fields of labor. 
 The church has enjoyed, during the intervals which have oc- 
 curred between the several pastorates, the labors of the fol- 
 loT\ing brethren, as stated supplies, viz : Messrs. Charles 
 Boyter, Jonathan Leavitt, D.D., Abner B. Warner, D. S. 
 Brainerd, S. D. Darhng, E. W. Fuller, Ezra Jones. In the 
 year 1842, a neat and commodious parsonage was built ; and 
 
CHAELESTOWN. 425 
 
 in the year 1845 the Meeting-house was also much improved 
 in appearance and comfort, by the cheerful contributions of 
 the people. In general, we may characterize the inhabitants 
 of the town as peculiarly enterprising in matters of religion. 
 The spirit of the early fathers has been perpetuated in the 
 children. Perhaps there are few towns in the State, or even 
 in New England, where the primitive respect for the minis- 
 try, and for the institutions and ordinances of religion, has 
 been more purely preserved. 
 
 CHAELESTOWN. 
 
 Very soon after the first settlement was made in the 
 town, a small church was organized, and on the same day, 
 Dec. 4, 1754, Rev. John Dennis was ordained and installed 
 as their pastor. His salary was £ 50 lawful money, to be 
 equal to silver at six shillings and eight pence per ounce ; 
 afterwards three pounds six shillings and eight pence were 
 added. So great were the fears of the people of invasion by 
 the Indians that the ordination was at Northfield, Ms. Mr. 
 Dennis was dismissed by an ecclesiastical council, assembled 
 at Deerfield, Ms., March 31, 1756. For four or five years 
 the people were now destitute of regiilar preaching. 
 
 On the 14th of November 1760, the town invited Mr. 
 Bulkley Olcott to become their pastor. He was ordained 
 and constituted pastor of the church the 28th of May 1761. 
 He continued his connection with the church till June 26th, 
 when he was removed by death. At this time the church 
 and their pastor were generally considered as orthodox. It 
 is recorded of him that he was respectable in talents, accep- 
 table as a preacher, and useful as a pastor. After the 
 decease of Mr. Olcott, the people held no meeting for nearly 
 three years. And during a period of seventeen years the 
 parish remained destitute of the stated ministrations of the 
 gospel. During the latter portion of this period, however, 
 they were supplied by Rev. Dan Foster, who while at 
 Charlestown declared himself a Universalist, and wrote a 
 book in defence of that system of belief He closed his 
 labors with the church by his death in 1809. 
 
 His successor was Rev. Jaazaniah Crosby, D.D., who was 
 ordained and installed Oct. 17, 1810, and has continued to 
 fill the pastoral office until the past year ; a colleagiie has 
 now been settled with him. He was settled as an orthodox 
 minister, but afterwards became a Unitarian. In conse- 
 28 
 
426 SULLIVAN COUNTY. 
 
 quence of this change, some of the members of the church 
 withdrew from his ministrations. Some of them united 
 with the church in Springfield, Vt., and others with the 
 church in Acworth. At length these persons, together with 
 others residing in the town, who were members of other 
 churches in the vicinity, were organized as a church by an 
 ecclesiastical council Aug. 1, 1835. It consisted of 23 
 members ; seven males and 16 females. Much opposition 
 was shown to this movement. Rev. Joseph Curtis supplied 
 them about one year. He made a deep impression. The 
 simple truth fell with power from his lips. Then, after 
 brief supplies from several individuals. Rev. John C. Wilder 
 labored with them one year. In September 1839, a Meet- 
 ing-house was finished and dedicated. It was built mainly 
 by the liberality of the neighboring churches. 
 
 In September 1840 the R,ev. J. DeF. Richards came, by 
 invitation, to labor among them. There were, then resid- 
 ing in the town, less than 20 members of the church and 
 only three male members. But during that autumn Mr. 
 Richards was encouraged amidst seeming difficulties. — 
 Among a few, there was evidently a spirit of prayer. A 
 small number were hopefully converted and were received as 
 members of the church. The congregation gradually 
 increased, till the latter part of the following winter, when 
 the tokens of the Divine favor became manifest. In his 
 account of this work of grace, Mr. Richards says, "Profess- 
 ors of religion were greatly revived and encouraged, and sin- 
 ners began to inquire what they must do to be saved. The 
 result was a very happy revival, a precious refreshing from 
 the presence of the Lord, the fruits of which were some 25 
 hopeful conversions." 
 
 On the 26th of May 1841, Mr. Richards received ordi- 
 nation and was installed as pastor of this church. As a 
 salary the society voted that a minister in Charlestown 
 ought to receive $500, and the use of a parsonage. But 
 being unable to give this, they would exert themselves to 
 pay $ 300, and would apply to the Missionary Society for 
 $150. They obtained from that society but |lOO. Con- 
 sequently Mr. Richards' real salary was about $400. On the 
 13 th of June of the same year 19 were admitted into the 
 church. Others were subsequently added. 
 
 In the fall of 1842 and the following winter, another vis- 
 itation of God's reviving spirit was enjoyed. "Christians 
 were greatly quickened and animated, and were led to hum- 
 ble themselves, to confess their sins, and to consecrate 
 themselves to God more entirely. From the first, there was 
 
CHAKLESTOWN. 427 
 
 evidently manifested a spirit of prevailing prayer, and a wil- 
 lingness to labor and make sacrifices fur the cause of Christ." 
 Twenty five or more were hopefully converted. A large 
 majority of these were adult persons and heads of families. 
 In quite a number of instances, the husband and wife became 
 the subjects of saving grace at the same time. In ten houses, 
 family worship was established. Twenty four were added 
 to the church — 19 on profession of their faith, and five by 
 letter. During the first three years of Mr. Richards' minis- 
 try 15 children were dedicated to God in bajitism. Mr. 
 Richards continued his faithful labors with the church and 
 people till October 14, 1851, when, by his own request, he 
 was dismissed from liis pastoral relation by a mutual council, 
 who cordially recommended liim to tlie churches of our Lord, 
 as an able and faithful minister of the gospel. He has since 
 been settled in Chester, Vt., amid the smilings of a gracious 
 God, among people whom he loves and by whom he is loved. 
 
 Nov. 8, 1851, Rev. Worthington Wright came, by invita- 
 tion, to labor with them for a season. March 4, 18.52, he 
 received a call to become their pastor. He accepted it, and 
 was installed on the 16th of the same month ; his salary, 
 nominally, was $ 500, but really, in view of the weak state 
 of the society, $450, $150 of which he has received from the 
 N. H. Missionary Society. The number attending pubhc 
 worship on the Sabbath is usually, in good weather, from 
 80 to 100. The resident members of the church, when Mr. 
 Wright commenced his labors, were in number 47. Twenty 
 three have since been received. But in consequence of 
 deaths and removals, the present number of resident mem- 
 bers is 56. The whole number of members of the church, 
 from its organization in 1837 to the present time, is 134. — 
 No baptisms of children were recorded previous to Mr. Rich- 
 ards' settlement. Since that time the whole number is 40. 
 The amount contributed yearly for benevolent objects is 
 about §50. The number who attend pubHc worship in 
 evangeliced churches (though accuracy is impossible) does 
 not, probably, exceed one-seventh part of the population of 
 the town. The proportion of the population embraced^ in 
 this parish may be one-tenth ; that is, in reference to families. 
 
 Rev. Mr. Wright who, aided by the former pastor, pre- 
 pared this history, was dismissed, amid many regrets, 
 through failure of his health, Oct. 23, 1855. The moral 
 influence of this church in the town has been very great 
 and very good, and, with faithfulness and faith in its mem- 
 bers, it will witness "greater things than these." AU 
 opposition to truth must fade away, even while it fancies 
 itself strong. 
 
^8 SULLIVAN COUNTY. 
 
 CLAREMONT. 
 
 Rev. R, F. Lawrence. 
 
 George III. "by and with the advice of" his "trusty and 
 beloved Banning Wentworth, Esq.," chartered this town 
 Oct. 26, 1764. At the second town meeting, less than four 
 years afterwards, two "Titheingmen" and two "Dear 
 Eeeves" were chosen, — the business of the latter being the 
 preservation of peace among the hunters, and of the former 
 the preservation of order and wakefulness in time of sacred 
 worship. May 9, 1771, a lawful assembly was holden, "of 
 the inhabitants of the town " which had for its sole business 
 the calling of a minister. For this measure nineteen votes 
 were given and the names are on the record, as are, also, 
 three names in the negative. A committee was chosen "to 
 apply to Mr. Elijah Parsons, but if he fails, to apply to Dr. 
 Wheelock for advice." 
 
 December 10, of the same year, a legal town meeting 
 gave "Mr. George Wheaton a call to settle in the work of 
 the gospel ministry, agreeable to the Congregational or 
 Cambridge Plcd/orm." They voted him a settlement and 
 a salary. Mr. Wheaton's reply is replete with evidence of 
 his piety and fitness for the holy work. But brief was his 
 day. He was settled Feb. 19, 1772, and died in his native 
 town, Mansfield, Conn., June 24, of the next year, aged 22 
 years. He restored the right of land to the town, which 
 they had given him, and, though it never became of great 
 value to them, the fact showed his purity of motive. They 
 also voted that a monument, at their expense, be erected at 
 his place of burial. Every remembrance of him is sweet. 
 
 Eev. Augustine Hilibard was settled here Oct, 19, 1774, 
 and dismissed in 178.5. He was appointed £100 for a 
 Bettlement, and £ 75 lawful money as a salary. Considera- 
 ble division of feeling existed soon after, in reference to the 
 place where a Meeting-house should be built. Mr. Hibbard's 
 Bettlement money was not paid for several years, nor were 
 the arrearages of his salary paid till after his dismission, and 
 a suit in law had brought an execution against the town. — 
 Time after time, collectors were appointed by the town to 
 gather up the remaining "rates" on this score. But what 
 is said about the oppressiveness of the laws at that period is 
 seen to be vain by the following fact : After a committee 
 had made an investigation and found that £ 100 were due 
 the pastor, "Voted," in a laivful town meeting, "that the 
 toxvn pay the above sum, be the same more or less, and the 
 
CLAEEMONT. 429 
 
 cost, and that the Congrcgatmial inhahitants he assest there- 
 for." None were compelled to pay for preaching which 
 they did not believe, and he who wishes to pay for no7ie is 
 usually profited by 7i07ie. Baptists were found at this time 
 here to some extent, and the town decided that they should 
 " pay know more rates to the Congregational order for the 
 fewter." Dec. 6, 1785, thus summarily is the pastoral 
 relation disposed of in a regular town meeting : "Voted to 
 give the Eev. Augustine Hibbard a dismission from his 
 Church, and Eecommendation as a Gospel Minister." A 
 committee was chosen, after this vote, to meet "the dismiss- 
 ing council on the 28, day of Dec. instant," at which time 
 the relation was again dissolved. The town kindly exemp- 
 ted his property from taxation while he continued to reside 
 here. He subsequently went to Canada, entered secular 
 pursuits in which, for many years, he did not honor his pro- 
 fession of love to God. He died December 1831. Terrors 
 and thick darkness covered him for a time, in view of his 
 dereliction from duty, out of which he came into joyful hope 
 in Christ in his last days. 
 
 Eev. John Tappan was settled here March 9, 1796. — 
 Barnes of Hillsborough and Barnard of Amherst were on the 
 council ; also, Haven and Fisher within the present hmits 
 of the county, and Shuttlesworth from Windsor, Vt. He 
 records the names of eight brethren "in full communion" as 
 voting for him. The town nominally concurred with the 
 church in his settlement, Congregationalists alone voting 
 and paying money for his support. Through his influence 
 the church placed upon her records in May 1796 the vote 
 that "if parents could see their way clear to own the cove- 
 nant and have their children baptized and not partake of the 
 Lord's Supper, they should have the privilege." This privi- 
 lege was never improved, however, to any great extent. A 
 single instance of admission to "full communion" from this 
 half way consecration is apparent. Mr. Tappan's ministry 
 was not peaceful. His views were not consonant with those 
 of many members of the church. He was dismissed in Sep- 
 tember 1802. Seven members were added during his min- 
 istry. His membership was transferred to this church when 
 he became its pastor, but, painful as is the fact, it ceased 
 the year following his dismission. 
 
 He remained in town through life. He entered mercan- 
 tile business and amassed wealth. He died Oct. 1, 1837, 
 aged 68. He was a native of East Kingston and a graduate 
 of Harvard in 1790. He was a man of great energy in busi- 
 ness. 
 
430 SULLIVAN COUNTY. 
 
 Eev. Elijah Brainerd was invited in 1803, for one year, to 
 "officiate as pastor," by the church and society. He was 
 eminently a working man. He brought up the church to a 
 new life. A new covenant and articles of faith were pro- 
 posed by him and adopted, for the reason that those in use 
 were not "definite and regularly expressed." He says, 
 "from this transaction our children may read and know 
 how we manage church discipline." Beneath this covenant 
 stand the names of 16 men and 20 women, placed there 
 July 20, 1804, with the name of their minister at the head 
 of the Hst, all of whom have passed from mortal scenes.— 
 His health was feeble. He labored here two years — seven 
 were admitted to church privileges by him. 
 
 The church was now in a better condition than at any 
 previous time. It has no records previous to 1796. An 
 aged deacon, fifteen years ago, remarked that the church 
 was organized about 1772, and in 1775 it contained about 
 35 members and the population was 523. In 1806 a regu- 
 lar Congregational Society was organized which was incorpo- 
 rated in 1815. 
 
 Kev. Stephen Farley became the pastor of the church 
 Dec. 24, 1806, and continued until April 31, 1818. Ninety 
 four persons were added to the church — of whom more than 
 one-half — 49 — were added in the memorable year 1816. — 
 Mr. Farley was a man of gentlemanly bearing, of pleasant 
 address, of considerable talent, but never of high-toned 
 orthodox)^ During his ministry the congregation was large, 
 and the Meeting-house was enlarged after the manner of the 
 old North at Concord. 
 
 In 1815-16 a revival of great interest occurred. Several 
 lay brethren were very active in it, among whom was one Dea. 
 Furgerson from Vershire, Vt. The pastor was not aware of 
 the beginning of this gracious work. Eev. Broughton White 
 was in town, and Mr. Farley said to him in reply to some 
 inquiries, that no special interest existed among his people. 
 But Mr. White went with Dea. Furgerson to an evening 
 meeting in the house now occupied by Mr. Lewis Perry, and, 
 though the evening was rainy, two large rooms were filled 
 with people. Mr. White opened the meeting and read the 
 Scriptures. The deepest solemnity was manifest amid sob- 
 bings and tears. Dea. Furgerson was full of the strong doc- 
 trines of God's word which had never been abundantly pre- 
 sented by any preacher in town. The opposition was fierce, 
 but the victory great. Forty nine, mostly by profession, 
 entered the church. Mr. Farley made a public confession 
 of his fear that he never possessed spiritual life, but he was 
 
CLAKEMONT. 431 
 
 never fally reconciled to his sititation afterwards, and many 
 in the church, especially the new converts, called for a more 
 pungent, earnest utterance of truth. Puritanism was not 
 in him. 
 
 Mr. Farley became, openly, a Unitarian not long after leav- 
 ing the place. He preached, while a minister here, two strong 
 sermons against Universalism which were printed ; he has 
 within a few years spent a Sabbath in town, preaching to 
 that society in the utmost harmony. He left the people 
 unsettled in their religious views and exposed to further divi- 
 sions. The latter part of his ministry had been a scene of 
 trial, growing, very much, out of his laxity of doctrinal 
 belief. Several prominent men became vexed with the divi- 
 sions in the church, but still more with the earnest labor of 
 a few therein to maintain the truth, left the society, and 
 sought a home in other religious associations. 
 
 Rev. J. Nye was introduced to the church in 1820, but it 
 was not until after several months that they could be prevailed 
 upon by the Society to accept him. He was installed June 
 6, 1821. A presentiment tilled many hearts that prayed 
 much, against his being pastor here. He was settled. His 
 ministry was never a quiet one. Many cases of discipline 
 were up, one against a member for saying, " Mr. Nye was no 
 more fit to preach than Judas." The aged always speak of 
 those as days of sorrow. Yet Mr. Nye was an imposing per- 
 sonage, solemn, and very tender on funeral occasions, but 
 without that secret unction which gave him the confidence 
 of pious, devout hearts. He was dismissed April 1828. He 
 never exercised the ministry afterwards. He entered politi- 
 cal life but never became popular. In a time of interest in 
 1842, he was moved, wept, and, before a large assembly, 
 spoke a few solemn words in reference to our fearful account 
 in the next life. He is said to have died at the West. Fif- 
 ty were added to the church in this ministry. 
 
 It is difficult to set forth the true situation of things at 
 this juncture in this history. Eeligion was low in its vital 
 energies, and had been, for many years, throughout the town. 
 Even the great excitement of 1816 was perverted to embit- 
 ter many against revivals, and the want of pungency in the 
 preaching which had been enjoyed, during most of the past 
 history of the town, had strengthened the enmity of a multi- 
 tude against faithfulness in the exhibition of truth in the 
 house of God. These influences were not confined to this so- 
 ciety. Mr. Barber, the incumbent in the West Episcopal par- 
 ish from 1775 to 1818, was not a man of the Bishop Griswold 
 school of earnest piety. His influence, for more than forty 
 
432 SULLIVAN COUNTY. 
 
 years, was nothing more elevating than that of the men who 
 were his cotemporaries in this field. He at length went 
 home — to mother Kome. The Baptists and Methodists had 
 done something, but their influence was as yet quite limited 
 over the mass of the people. Mr. Howe, of pleasant memo- 
 ry, came here, but severe contentions arose between the par- 
 ishes of Union and Trinity churches, so that his labors were 
 much hindered. 
 
 At this time, among the unconverted men in this parish, 
 a peculiar hatred against men from the "Andover Mill" 
 existed. They ojjenly avowed their purpose to secure a hb- 
 eral preacher in the Congregational church. And in the 
 autumn of 1828, Mr. Moses Thomas, a Unitarian, was em- 
 2>loyed, and, on the proposition to settle him, eighty six votes 
 were cast by regular members of the society, of which Mr. 
 Thomas received 42 against 44. The little church, however, 
 stood firm. They icaited on God. They seemed near rum. 
 Grod interposed. 
 
 In January 1829, Eev. Elijah Paine came among this peo- 
 ple. The church knew nothing of him. The committee of 
 the society learned he was " not from Andover," and that 
 was a sufficient commendation. All haste was made to set- 
 tle him. The church reluctantly concurred. He, at first, 
 preached on general topics, but, in the course of a year, 
 plainly and eloquently uttered the '•' whole counsel of God," 
 especially as to practical godliness. The Lord revived his 
 work. All over town, meetings were held often and attend- 
 ed fully. In the most aifectionate and tender manner did 
 the preacher touch the minds of children, and many young 
 persons came into the kingdom of Grod. In the years 1830 
 and 1831 there were added more than 100 members to the 
 church, and about 120 in his pastorate of four and a half 
 years. In this work deep interest was shown by the deacons 
 of the church, Meigs Stevens, J. Whitcomb, Josiah Stevens, 
 Moses Wheeler, and Abijah Severance, who, with their wives, 
 performed much effective labor. 
 
 In the spring of 1833, Mr. Paine was broken in health and 
 spirits ; a debt of $400, which he owed when he came to the 
 place, gave him some solicitude. He needed time and 
 means for recruiting his strength after his pecuhar labors. 
 The charm that was in his words in the time of refreshing 
 had passed away, in the view of many ; and, for want of pa- 
 tience both on his part and on that of the people, and be- 
 cause of some dissatisfaction, he asked a dismission at a 
 church meeting, in May, 1833. Says an eye-witness : "The 
 scene was affecting." It was known that opposition to him 
 
CLABEMONT. 433 
 
 existed, and that, for that reason, he presented the reqviest. 
 The himbs of the flock were there. Many eyes were sivliused 
 with tears. Five only voted to grant the request. A coun- 
 cil was called, which did not dismiss him. He remained un- 
 til November 14 following. He then went to West Boylston, 
 Ms., saw the tokens of God's reviving power, and, after a 
 few years, went to his heavenly home. He shines a bright 
 star in the past, and the future. 
 
 This ministry sifted the people. Its light was too bright 
 to allow men to remain uncommitted. In the midst of the 
 revival of 1830, when more than fifty had just experienced 
 the grace of Grod, one article in the warrant for the annual 
 meeting of the society was, " to see if they would dissolve 
 the pastoral relation." And, just after the call of Mr. Paine, 
 many saw the true character of his preaching, and prepared 
 a protest to present to the council against his settlement, 
 but, having voted for the call, they saw no reasons they could 
 offer to sustain their opposition, and concluded to be silent. 
 After the revival, many joined the Universalists, and others, 
 at the close of his ministry, who were desirous he should re- 
 main, went to the Ep)iscopal society, and have been its most 
 efficient supporters. During this ministry, the church took 
 decided ground in favor of temperance, and resolved, in ad- 
 mitting future members, to require a pledge of total absti- 
 nence from strong drink except as a medicine. 
 
 Eev. Tertius D. Southworth was settled here June 17, 
 1834 — dismissed July 19, 1838, to take effect at the close of 
 the month. In February 1836 the present house of wor- 
 ship was finished and dedicated, and considerable religious 
 interest was manifested during this and the previous year. — 
 During his ministry 75 were added to the church. He was 
 a clear, sound preacher, and many of those who wished 
 Mr. Paine's removal because they wanted "strong meat," 
 now bitterly complained that they got nothing else. — 
 Mr. Burchard, who was in the neighboring churches as an 
 evangelist, Mr. Southworth conscientiously opposed. Great 
 excitement prevailed. A young people's meeting was at 
 length set up, with the best intentions, no doubt, at first. 
 But irregularities crept in, such as visions, and conversations 
 with departed saints. The result was, in 1840, under the 
 present pastor, the suspension from fellowship of 27 mem- 
 bers of the church, many of whom had been esteemed devo- 
 tedly pious. They formed a "covenant" which the church 
 examined and decided to be inconsistent for its members to 
 subscribe ; and the committee that were sent to labor "to 
 reclaim such" as had signed it, reported that, "some sup- 
 
434 SULLIVAN COUNTY. 
 
 posed they could keep both covenants ; a large majority, 
 however, acknowledged their inconsistency and admitted 
 the decision of the claurch to be correct, but all were agreed 
 to adhere to the new covenant, and the church must do with 
 them as they saw fit." Their own leading members were 
 present and said they thought it would be better for all, 
 that the separation should then take place. It is a question 
 whether this vast loss to the strength of the church might 
 not have been prevented, either by giving better opportimi- 
 ties at first for the religious feeling, which was deep, to have 
 spent itself in appropriate labors, or by admitting the long 
 sought evangelist into the field. But of one thing there can 
 be no doubt : Mr. Southworth did independently what he 
 believed to be duty — itself a high commendation. Mr. 
 Southworth was for many years pastor of Dr. Emmons' 
 church in Franklin, Ms. 
 
 The present pastor, Kcv. Robert F. Lawrence, began 
 preaching here the first Sabbath in November 1838 — was 
 installed January 16, 1839. The people were in deep afiEhc- 
 tion. But God put forth his arm. A time of revival occur- 
 red which brought more than 40 into the church the first 
 and second years. Again, in 1842, the Spirit was poured 
 out in connection with union meetings, and the churches, 
 uniting, were all blessed — 43 came from the world into this 
 church. In 1853 another season of interest brought 24 by 
 profession into this fold of Christ ; 271 have been added in 
 these seventeen years — by letter 123, and on profession of 
 faith 148. The present number is not far from 200. Sala- 
 ry $625, — $700 for two years past. 
 
 Twelve or more places for the open sale of strong drink 
 were here seventeen years ago, now the open sale is seen 
 nowhere. In the struggle for progress here, the pastor has 
 cordially united and been faithfully sustained. Letters, 
 mailed abroad, petty injuries to his estate, and the filing of 
 shot into the door of his dwelling, deterred him not from en- 
 treating his fellow citizens to banish intemperance from among 
 them. An illustration of the variety of views entertained 
 respecting his addresses on this subject in former years, may 
 not be out of place here : One man said of one of his most 
 earnest efforts, that "it could not be endured;" another, 
 who was no enthusiast, (Hon. G-eo. B. Upham,) said, "it 
 seemed to me one of the best addresses on the subject to 
 which I ever had the pleasure of listening." 
 
 There have been twelve men furnished from this church 
 for our ministry — George Fargo, David Wright, Manning 
 Ellis, Henry Jones, James McEwen, Seth Farnsworth, 
 
COENISH. 435 
 
 Simon Goss, Henry Chapin, Edward Greeley, Ira Case, 
 Joseph Eowell, Lyman White — the last five having become 
 pious during this pastorate. Not far from 570 names, in 
 the aggregate, are on the record, and those who were mem- 
 bers in the twenty five years of which we have no record may 
 safely be reckoned sufficient to carry the total above 600. — 
 Infant baptisms — 202 before, and 133 during this pastorate. 
 
 A Universalist society is found here of considerable 
 strength. Two Episcopal churches, one nearly coeval in its 
 origin with this church, number 175 communicants — Kev. 
 Henry Smith, and Et. Rev, Bishop Carleton Chase, D.D., 
 rectors; Baptist church, 194 — Eev. 0. Ayer, pastor; Meth- 
 odist, 283 — Eev. F. A. Hewes, pastor. So, nearly one- 
 fifth of the inhabitants, allowing the pious who are not 
 members to oflset non-resident members, profess piety — a 
 great advance on early clays. In 1820, with 2290 inhab- 
 itants, the friends of Christ were less than 300 — not one- 
 seventh of the population. 
 
 Sad news for tliis church arrests the pen of the writer of 
 this history : the oldest deacon of the church, Jonathan 
 Whitcomb is no more. His end is peace. After the solemn 
 services of installation were over, seventeen years ago, he 
 met the pastor, took his hand, and, with that earnest, sol- 
 emn, kind expression of countenance, which those who knew 
 him, will readily recall, said, "And now I wish you to 
 remember that you have my affections and confidence until 
 I tell you to the contrary." From that moment the pastor's 
 heart reposed entire confidence in him, and he has not been 
 disappointed. Many such steadfast spirits are here, and 
 others are with our departed brother to-day, in Paradise. — 
 The pastor and his wife and many hearts have them in sweet 
 remembrance. 
 
 A happy fellowship exists between the churches here — 
 the Baptist, Methodist and Congregational pastors often 
 exchanging pulpits. 
 
 COENISH. 
 
 Eev. Alvaii Spaulding. 
 
 Cornish was chartered June 1st, 1763. The ancestors of 
 some of the proprietors and first settlers came from Cornish, 
 England, and hence its name. As required to do, the pro- 
 prietors laid out 200 acres of land for the church of England, 
 200 for the society for the propagation of the gospel, and 
 
436 SULLIVAN COUNTY. 
 
 200 for the first settled minister. The proprietors, who were 
 puritans, made ample provision in grants of land for the sup- 
 port of the gospel ministry dissenting from the church of 
 England. At their first meeting after the survey and divi- 
 sion of Cornish into lots, they " voted that there be at least 
 150 acres of good land laid out in Cornish and set apart 
 towards supporting a dissenting minister of the gospel in 
 said town." They also voted at a subsequent meeting, " to 
 give the town 1000 acres as good land as then remained 
 undivided, to enable them to settle and maintain a dissenting 
 gospel minister among them." 
 
 Settlements commenced in 1765. In 1767, the town 
 numbered thirteen families. Measures were now taken to 
 settle a minister. April 8, 1768, Rev. James Wellman of 
 Sutton, Ms. was called to become their minister. Several 
 of the families were from the same place, and while resident 
 in Sutton belonged to his congregation, and therefore desired 
 that he should become their pastor. He was to receive 200 
 acres, the right of the first minister, and 400 of the 1000 
 above granted, for a settlement, and for a salary, £ 40 the 
 first year, to increase until it rose to £ 60 English money. 
 Eev. Mr. Wellman immediately moved with his family to 
 Cornish. The citizens of Windsor, Vt. united with Cornish 
 in this effort, with the agreement that he should preach one- 
 third of the time in Windsor ; and that one-third of his 
 salary the first five years should be raised there. A council 
 of churches, Sept. 29, 1768, here organized a church called 
 the Congregational church of Coriiish and Windsor, consist- 
 ing of ten members, six of Cornish and four of Windsor, 
 and installed Rev. James Wellman as minister and pastor of 
 the church and towns of Cornish and Windsor. The church 
 was formed under a covenant without any articles of faith. 
 The covenant consisted in the confession of guilt and inabil- 
 ity to do that which is acceptable to God, — the profession of 
 their belief in the Christian religion, as revealed in the Scrip- 
 tures, — in the Scriptures as the word of Grod, — the acknowl- 
 edgment of their obligations to glorify God by a holy and 
 righteous life, — the consecration of themselves and their chil- 
 dren to God, — and the engagementto walk in love together, — 
 to maintain discipline, — to keep the Lord's day holy and attend 
 upon the public worship of God, — to maintain family wor- 
 ship, and to train up all under their care in the path of hoU- 
 ness and virtue. It was difficult to pay the pastor's salary. 
 Money was very scarce. The town sold the remaining 600 
 acres of the 1000 given for the support of the gospel, to pay 
 the salary due for the first two years. All the land that 
 
coENisn. 437 
 
 now remained ''for the support of a dissenting ministry," 
 was the parsonage lot of 150 acres. Puhlic worship was held 
 in barns (in summer) and in dwelling-houses (in winter) 
 till the fall of 1773, when a Meeting-house was erected on 
 the banks of the Connecticut river. For several years the 
 people met for pubhc worship clad in garments of home- 
 made cloth — the men and boys in coarse woolen hats and 
 cloth caps, and woolen striped blue or linen frocks and 
 pants ; and the women were dressed in woolen or linen gowns 
 and checked blue aprons. In a few instances, men gathered 
 for worship on the Sabbath with guns in their hands, from 
 fear of the attack of Indians. 
 
 Dissatisfaction soon sprang up in the church respecting 
 receiving members, and on account of errors in doctrine and 
 practice. Six brethren withdrew from the communion, and 
 presented to the church, November 1778, their reason for so 
 doing. The church required them to return or ermscnt to a 
 mutual council. But they disagreed in their views of wliat 
 constituted a mutual council. The church convened a coun- 
 cil Jan. 5, 1779. It was regarded as ex joarie l>y the disaf- 
 fected, and they refused to appear before it. The church 
 now united with them in a mutual council, according to 
 their views, Feb. 3, 1779. The result was accepted by both 
 parties with the solemnity of shaking of hands and singing a 
 psakn together, in testimony of their mutual forgiveness and 
 cordial fellowship. The withdrawing brethren, in less than 
 one month, requested a dismission and recommendation to 
 the Congregational church in Lebanon, "for the reasons that 
 they were not edified, and could not enjoy that fellowship in 
 the church which the word of God requires." The church 
 proposed to recall the late council. The withdrawing breth- 
 ren asked for a mutual council to consider their request for 
 dismission. The church deemed this not expedient. The 
 withdrawing brethren called a council ; it recommended 
 them to the church in Windsor, Vt. The church in Cornish 
 admonished that church not to receive them. Tliey were, 
 however, received to occasional communion. The withdraw- 
 ing brethren now set up public worship by themselves. Min- 
 isters in the vicinity occasionally preached to them, to pre- 
 pare the way for the organization of another chui'ch that 
 should be Calvinistic in creed. In the fall and winter of 
 1780 a Rev. Mr. Powers labored among them in word and 
 doctrine. A revival of religion attended his ministry. Al- 
 most every family was affected by that revival in what was 
 called the eastern part of Cornish, comprising all of the town 
 east of a range of hills in the westerly part of the town, near 
 Connecticut river. Many were converted to God. 
 
438 SULLIVAN COUNTY. 
 
 Rev. Mr. Wellman and the church were much tried by this 
 separate public worship in the eastern part of Cornish ; and 
 by the aid given it by neigliboring ministers. They asked 
 the advice of council Dec. 18, 1780. The council approved 
 the action of the church, and their complaint against the 
 withdrawing brethren and ministers. In their result the 
 council say," respecting the revival in progress, "we mean not 
 to oppose any real reformation, which is much needed, nor to 
 discourage the revival of vital piety ; but we know of no re- 
 formation where moral obligations are not adhered to, nor 
 of vital piety where the ordc'r of the gospel is essentially de- 
 parted from, and therefore appearances of the former must 
 be fallacious where evidence of the latter is clear and indis- 
 putable." The withdrawing brethren, on the other hand, 
 became more and more dissatisfied with the condition and 
 character of the church. They invited a convention of 
 churches, April, 1781, to examine reports and grievous ap- 
 pearances that had, contrary to the order of the gospel, oc- 
 curred in the church of Cornish. The convention met, ap- 
 pointed another session at Lebanon, and sent to Rev. James 
 Wellman and the church the following citation to appear 
 before them : 
 
 " To the Rev. James Wellman and the church under his 
 pastoral care : 
 
 " Whereas there are public reports and a very glar- 
 ing appearance that many things contrary to the spirit and 
 order of the gospel, have taken place and been indulged 
 among you ; particularly that some of the essential doctrines 
 of our holy religion have been openly spoken of and treated 
 with contempt by some of your members ; and that the 
 church have treated matters, which they have professed to 
 take into their solemn consideration, in a manner very un- 
 suitable to the spirit of the gospel, with the evident appear- 
 ance of a driving, boisterous temper: these are to notify you 
 that a large convention of ministers and churches, this day 
 convened, feel themselves in duty bound to look into the 
 aforesaid matters, and have accordingly adjourned to the 2d 
 Tuesday of June next, to meet at the Meeting-house in Leb- 
 anon, at 2 o'clock, P. M., to hear what evidence will testify 
 in support of the aforesaid public reports ; and what you 
 may offer in your own defence, at which time and place you 
 are notified in Christ's name to appear, for the aforesaid pur- 
 pose, by order of the convention. 
 
 Attest, ISAIAH POTTER, Scribe." 
 
COENISH. 439 
 
 Kev. Mr. Wellman and the church sent a written message 
 to the convention, denying their jurisdiction and refusing to 
 appear before them : 1st, Because they loolied upon them as 
 an unconstitutional assembly. 2dly, That if they were a 
 regular body to govern themselves, they had no riglit of 
 power over them or any warrant to cite them in the name 
 of Christ, in the manner they had done. 3dly, They viewed 
 them as to mentors and patronizers of schism and division in 
 the church and town of Cornish. 4thly, They had evidently 
 prejudged the case. 5thly, That after offering the with- 
 drawing brethren a mutual council they had a large council 
 agreeable to our constitution, who fully approved of their 
 proceedings with said brethren, and therefore were not ac- 
 countable to them ; and 6tlily, That if any of their members 
 had said or done any thing contrary to the genuine doctrines 
 and spirit of the gospel they meant not to countenance or 
 approve of it. They also admonished the convention to 
 " look to their own principles and conduct, and mind their 
 own proper business, &c., offering to come under examina- 
 tion as to principles and conduct, making God's word the 
 standard before suitable judges mutually chosen, if they 
 would do the same." 
 
 The convention proceeded, and we make the following ex- 
 tract from their result : " The convention unanimously feel 
 themselves greatly surprised, that an incorporate body, who 
 call themselves a church of Christ, should deny tliC right of 
 sister churches to look into their conduct and take measures 
 to reclaim them, when they have openly departed from the 
 faith and order of the gospel ; that it is the unanimous opin- 
 ion of this convention that the message from the church in 
 Cornish to this convention is an open contempt of the au- 
 thority of Christ, and an entire violation of those bonds, 
 which are implied in the mutual fellowship of churches ; — 
 and accordingly this convention do openly declare that they 
 cannot continue to own said church as a church of Christ ; 
 and that they feel themselves in duty bound to withdraw 
 communion, and renounce fellowship with tliem in the si^ec- 
 ial ordinances of the gospel, until they shall be restored to 
 our charity by visible repentance. The church was not again 
 received to the fellowship of the churches. Kev. Mr. Well- 
 man continued to preach to them till October, 1785, when 
 the churches of Claremont and Charlestown convened in 
 council at Cornish, and dissolved the pastoral relation of 
 Rev. Mr. Wellman to the church and town. Thus termi- 
 nated the existence of the iirst Congregational church in 
 Cornish. Her light went out in darkness. The number of 
 
440 SULLIVAN COUNTY. 
 
 members received into full communion during her brief ex- 
 istence of 17 years, was 64 ; and the number received to 
 her watch and care by the half way covenant was 42. 
 
 Jime 1781 the town was divided into east and west par- 
 ishes by an act of the Legislature, upon a petition of the cit- 
 izens of Cornish for this purpose. In November of the same 
 year, the withdrawing members of the church of which Mr. 
 "Wellman was pastor, and others, were, by a council of 
 churches, organized into a church of 21 members, and called 
 the Congregational church in the East society of Cornish. 
 Fifty persons were added to it during the year — the fruits 
 of the revival of the preceding fall and winter. Peace and 
 harmony prevailed in this young church, until the subject 
 of budding a Meeting-house, in 1784, became the occasion 
 of much alienation. The church was nearly equally divided. 
 A Meeting-house was erected, but never finished, in the 
 north west part of Cornish, in 1787, and another near the 
 center of the town in 1788. There being little prospect of 
 becoming united in one place of worship, the church asked 
 the advice of Windsor Association of ministers upon the 
 ciuestion of being divided into two churches. The associa- 
 tion recommended that the church be divided. But by rea- 
 son of opposition to it by a few of the brethren, who consid- 
 ered a division of the church not the way best adapted to 
 restore union, it was not effected. Efforts were made to 
 settle over the church Rev. Benj. Chapman, who had been 
 for some time laboring among them. But the eastern di- 
 vision of the church thought it not best to settle any min- 
 ister until the difficulties among them were healed. The 
 brethren worshiping at the North church again sought the 
 advice of a council, Sept. 24, 1788. In their result the 
 council say, "gloomy is the thought that a young church 
 which but a few years ago promised to be as a city set on a 
 hill, and to be a light to the world, should so soon'become a 
 dark stumbling block, and sink under the guilt of want of 
 confidence in one another," and therefore recommended a 
 day of fasting, and that they confess their faults cne to an- 
 other, and give satisfaction in the presence of a committee 
 of the association and solemnly renew their covenant. The 
 eastern portion of the church did not adopt the advice of 
 council ; the northern did. The two divisions were now 
 named covenanters, and non-covenanters. Windsor Associa- 
 tion, which was the council above referred to, at a meeting 
 at Cornish, Oct. 14, 1800, retracted their former decision. 
 
 Brethren of the east division of the church also sought 
 advice of the churches. An ecclesiastical council at theu 
 
CORNISH. 441 
 
 request convened at Cornish, Oct. 6, 1789. After hearing 
 these brethren, the council recommended them to occasional 
 communion with the cliurch of Christ in Lebanon, Croydon, 
 and Meriden — that they invite the bretliren who renewed 
 covenant to unite with them in a mutual council, that their 
 difficulties might be settled and they united in the same 
 church, or regularly divided into two churches, holding gos- 
 pel communion with each other — and that, if the brethren 
 renewing covenant refuse to unite in such a council, the 
 brethren who have not renewed covenant obtain a candidate 
 to preach among them, with a view to his settlement. The 
 request to unite in a mutual council, as above recommended, 
 was presented to the brethren who had renewed covenant, 
 but was declined. 
 
 Nov. 30, 1790, an ecclesiastical council was convened at 
 the North Meeting-house in Cornish, by the united action 
 of the brethren worshiping there and the Congregational 
 church in Windsor, Vt., to install Rev. Benjamin Bell, pas- 
 tor of the two churches, for the term of five years, to preach 
 alternately in Windsor and at the North Meeting-house in 
 Cornish. The brethren worshiping at the East Meeting- 
 house remonstrated against the action of the council, if it 
 was to install Kev. Mr. Bell over the church called the 
 " Church of Christ in the East part of Cornish." The coun- 
 cil, however, proceeded, and Rev. Benjamin Bell was install- 
 ed over the church of Windsor and that part of the church 
 of Cornish worshiping at the North Meeting-house. At the 
 East Meeting-house there was occasional preaching, but no 
 pastor. The different portions of the church began to be 
 sensible of the reproach which their unhappy state was 
 bringing upon the gospel of Christ. Rev. Mr. Bell closed 
 his labors in Cornish April 1795. The two divisions of the 
 church now began to meet together in conference, and pro- 
 posals for re-union were made and considered. Such confes- 
 sion and satisfaction was made by individuals and by the 
 two parts of the church, that a mutual agreement was made 
 to unite in one body. A public confession was adopted by 
 the church Dec. 13, 1795, in which they unitedly confessed 
 their sins of wrong feeling, words and actions one to another, 
 and prayed that by their future conduct they might manifest 
 the sincerity of their repentance, their love one to another as 
 brethren, and their obedience to the laws of Christ. But 
 though thus formally united they were not all of one heart 
 and one mind. In the fall and winter of 1798, Rev. Siloam 
 Short labored among them, a faithful and earnest minister 
 of the gospel. The Holy Spirit descended in great power, 
 29 
 
442 SULLIVAN COUNTY. 
 
 upon the church and community. This brought the church 
 together and to their right mind, — the very thing that breth- 
 ren themselves, associations of ministers and churches in 
 council had, for years, labored in vain to accomplish. When 
 Grod spake, it was done. The church came up out of its 
 dark state beautiful as Tirzah. The brethren were humbled 
 in their own sight, and ashamed, each of himself and not of 
 his brother. They came together of one accord. Four suc- 
 cessive days and one afternoon they spent in prayer, in con- 
 fessing one to another and to the church, and in asking and 
 receiving the forgiveness of one another and the church. — 
 Converts unto righteousness were multiplied. Seventy six 
 were added to the church — the fruit of that gracious visita- 
 tion of the Holy Spirit. 
 
 In 1799 the church, now united and harmonious, erected 
 a large and commodious house of worship upon the hill in 
 the center of the town. It was the place of worship of a 
 great portion of the inhabitants, and often filled with a con- 
 gregation of 800, and, in some instances, 1000. 
 
 Sept. 24, 1800, Rev. Joseph Rowell was ordained and 
 installed pastor of the church. Mr. Rowell was a native 
 of Rowley, Ms., a graduate of Dartmouth college, and a 
 student in theology under Rev. Dr. Emmons. He was a 
 faithful pastor, and a bold and fearless preacher. He labor- 
 ed on in his work fourteen years, with only the average addi- 
 tions to the church of two persons a year. In 1814, a rain 
 of righteousness descended upon the church and people, and 
 73 were added to the church. In 1819, the Lord again 
 poured out his Spirit and 28 united with the church. In 
 1825, the church enjoyed another refreshing from on high 
 and 12 were gathered to their number. In 1828, April 1st, 
 after a ministry of twenty eight years, Mr. Rowell was dis- 
 missed. 
 
 In November of the same year Rev. F. W. Clarj' was 
 installed pastor of this church and people, for five years. — 
 He was born in Rowe, Ms., 1786, graduated at Middlebury 
 college, Vt., 1808, and studied theology at Andover, Ms., 
 ordained and installed pastor of the Congregational church 
 in Dover from 1812 to 1828. The ministry of Mr. Clary 
 was greatly blessed. A season of religious revival was expe- 
 rienced in 1829, and 40 were added to the church. In 1831 
 the church was revived by the descent of the Holy Spirit 
 among them, and 36 were gathered into the church. He 
 was dismissed October 1834. 
 
 Rev. A. Spaulding, born in Townsend, Ms., 1807, gradu- 
 ated at Amherst, Ms., 1831, and at Andover in 1834, was 
 
CROYDON. 443 
 
 ordained and installed pastor of the cliurcli Oct. 1835. A 
 season of revival was granted to the church, 1838, and 25 
 were added to the church. 
 
 The peace, harmony and prosperity of the church became 
 interrupted again in 1840. The Mceting-housc had grown 
 old and uncomfortahle, especially in the winter season. The 
 question of the location of a new Meeting-h(_iuse, and the 
 wild winds of strange doctrine that blew fiercely at that time 
 over New England, rent the church. Efforts to preserve 
 the harmony of the church were made in vain. The church 
 erected a new Meeting-house in 1841, on the spot selected 
 by two committees, of persons out of town, mutually chosen, 
 and by a council of churches, called to consider the difi&cid- 
 ties of the church, — the decision of which council the breth- 
 ren gave their pledge to al^ide, signed by their own hand. — 
 Some, however, withdrew and erected a house of worship 
 on a spot chosen by themselves. The withdrawing brethren 
 at length united with others in the Methodist connection, 
 and now maintain worship of that order. 
 
 The number of members of the church at its organization 
 1781, was 21 ; added from 1781 to 1800, 166 ; 1800 to 1828, 
 157 ; 1828 to 1835, 96 ; 1835 to 1856, 85— total, 525. An 
 ecclesiastical society organized in connection with the church 
 took the responsibility of the pecuniarj' support of the min- 
 istry. The support of the ministry from 1828 to 1834, was 
 secured by voluntary subscriptions. The church then 
 assumed the responsibility of paj'ing the salary. After 
 obtaining subscription of those out of the church, and of 
 ladies in the church, the remainder of the sum to be raised 
 is divided among the brethren according to their rateable 
 polls and estates. 
 
 A Baptist church was formed in 1791 ; a Meeting-house 
 erected in 1800, near the Congregational house. In 1793, 
 an Episcopal church was formed in the west part of Cornish 
 of several of the members of the Congregational church 
 under the care of Eev. James Wellraan, and others in that 
 part of the town. 
 
 CKOYDON. 
 
 The Congregational church of Croydon was organized 
 Sept. 9, 1778, by the assistance of the Eev. James Wcllman, 
 pastor, and Samuel Chase, delegate from the Presbyteriaa 
 church in Cornish, and Rev. Lyman Potter, pastor of a 
 
444 SULLIVAN COUNTY. 
 
 Presbyterian clmrch in Lebanon. It was organized as a 
 Presbyterian church, with 14 members. The infant church 
 met statedly on the Sabbath, in a house erected about four 
 years before for a town-house and Meeting-house ; and un- 
 less some minister from abroad was casually present, con- 
 ducted the exercises of public worship, by singing, prayer, 
 and the reading of printed sermons. Public worship was 
 conducted in this manner, for the first ten years after the 
 church was organized. In 1780, a revival of religion com- 
 menced, which, in proportion to the number of inhabitants, 
 was the most extensive ever enjoyed in town. Both Pres- 
 byterians and Baptists shared richly in the blessing. The 
 means employed were the ordinary exercises of public wor- 
 ship on the Sabbath, prayer-meetings in different parts of 
 the town, on week days, and private, personal conversation 
 with the unconverted. Ministers from abroad preached oc- 
 casionally ; but it may be truly said that the lay members 
 of the church were the principal instruments, in the hand 
 of God, of producing the reformation. In 1783, the church 
 " voted imanimously to adopt the Presbyterian mode of dis- 
 cipline as practiced in tlie church of Scotland, in the chief 
 points, not straining the lesser matters beyond the principles 
 and practice of the Grafton Presbytery ; allowing to every 
 individual a right to appeal to any presbytery in this coun- 
 try till the church be incorporated with some one ; allowing, 
 also, to every offender the privilege of choosing whether to 
 be tried by the sessions, who may call part or all the breth- 
 ren as helps, or be tried by the whole body, when he may not 
 be censured without vote both of the session and of the 
 brotherhood." 
 
 Near the close of 1787, Mr. Jacob Haven was obtained to 
 preach as a candidate for the pastoral office. His ordination 
 took place on the 18tli of June following. The sermon on 
 the occasion was preached by the Kev. David Kellogg, of 
 Framingham, Ms. In 1794, the house used for religious 
 purposes having become old and dilapidated, a new house of 
 worship was erected by a committee, appointed by the town. 
 The committee endeavored to raise funds suflicient to build 
 the house by the sale of slips or pews beforehand. But in 
 this they failed ; and the consequence was, the building nev- 
 er was completed. No bell was procured ; and, in winter, 
 the house, on accoimt of its unfinished state, was so uncom- 
 fortably cold as not to be used as a place of public worship. 
 In 1828 it was taken down, and a commodious town-hoijse 
 made of its materials. 
 
 Opposition at the beginning was made to the settlement 
 
CROYDON. 445 
 
 of the Kev. Mr. Haven. It continued to increase till 1804, 
 when a vote was passed by the town to desist from making 
 or collecting taxes for the support of Presbyterian preaching. 
 This measure, it was confidently asserted Ijy the enemies of 
 Presbyterianism, would effectually imsettle Mr. Haven, if not 
 oblige him to leave town. Matters remained in this ])Osture 
 for more than a year. At length, however, the principal 
 agents in procuring the vote, having become fully aware that 
 the measure was both ill-timed and illegal, endeavored to 
 effect a compromise. Propositions were oli'ered and rejected, 
 until at last, Nov. 5, 1805, the town voted to accept the 
 proposals offered by Mr. Haven. By this arrangement, the 
 contract, made with Mr. Haven at the time of his settlement 
 as minister of the town, was annulled. He then proposed 
 to his church and people, that if they would continue to pay 
 him as much as had heretofore fallen to their share, he would 
 still continue with them as their pastor. This proposal was 
 gladly accepted ; and Mr. Haven continued to discharge his 
 parochial duties, to the no small disappointment of his ene- 
 mies. 
 
 Early in 1810 it was apparent that the "still, small 
 voice" was at work in the hearts of sinners. The places of 
 worship were crowded, while a stillness pervaded the assem- 
 blies. Professing Christians, also, began to awake to duty, 
 and humble themselves before the Lord. The jjlain and 
 pungent truths of the gospel were freely dispensed from the 
 sacred desk, the members of the church engaged heartily in 
 the work, and God blessed the means, by the outpouring of 
 his Spirit. It is estimated that about 120 were the subjects 
 of the work. Of these, 73 connected themselves with the 
 Congregational church. In 1826, the old Meeting-house 
 having become unfit for use, a few individuals, with a spirit 
 alike honorable to themselves and beneficial to the public, 
 erected the present commodious house of worship. Its 
 length is sixty eight feet, and its width sixty feet ; and it 
 contains one hundred and seven slips or pews. It is crown- 
 ed with a belfry, for which a fine toned bell of one thousand 
 pounds has been purchased by subscription. The original 
 proprietors of the house have been partly remunerated for 
 the expense of building, by the sale of slips. The house, 
 together with its appurtenances, has been conveyed by deed 
 to the society connected with the church. In 1834, the 
 Kev. Jacob Haven having publicly signified a wish to retire 
 from the station of acting pastor, the church, January 6, 
 gave the Rev. Eli W. Taylor a call to become their junior 
 pastor. The installation took place on the 10th of June 
 
446 SULLIVAN COUNTY. 
 
 following. It was agreed on the part of the church and soci- 
 ety, to give him a salary of four hundred dollars per annum. 
 In the spring of 1835 a protracted meeting was held by the 
 church, under the direction of its pastors and the Kev. 
 Joseph Merrill, late of Acworth. The Lord smiled upon 
 their labors, and a work of grace followed. As the fruits 
 of the revival the Congregational cliurch received an access- 
 ion of 55 members. Some joined the Methodist church at 
 Grantham, and others the Baptist church at Newport. A 
 mutual council was called at the rei|uest of Mr. Taylor, and 
 he was dismissed Dec. 27, 1837, from the pastoral care of 
 the church and people in this place. Within a few months 
 Mr. Aurelius S. Swift, a native of Fairlee, Yt., accepted a 
 call from the church and society, and was ordained, May 16, 
 1838. It was agreed that he should receive the same 
 amount of salary as his immediate predecessor. With the 
 close of the year 1841, the pastoral labors of Mr. Swift in 
 this place terminated. After his removal the desk was 
 supplied by the Kev. Joel Davis, for several years. 
 
 On the 17th of March, 1845, the church sustained an irre- 
 parable loss in the death of their aged and beloved pastor, 
 the Rev. Mr. Haven. Although, by reason of the infirmities 
 of age, he had, for some years, been laid aside from the 
 active duties of pastor, still, his counsel, his example, and 
 above all, his prayers were of priceless value to the church. 
 The Eev. Jacob Haven was born in Framingham, Ms., Apr. 
 25, 1763. He graduated at Harvard college, in 1785 ; stud- 
 ied divinity with the Eev. Mr. Kellogg, minister of his 
 native to^vn, and was ordained and settled over the Presby- 
 terian church and people of Croydon, as already related. — 
 Mr. Haven was ever distinguished as a faithful preacher, 
 and a sound divine. His sermons were tersely written, and 
 were alike distinguished for their logic and for the air of 
 piety which breathed through them. Although unaccompa- 
 nied by the fascinating oratory of some of our modern 
 preachers, their delivery seldom failed of leaving a good 
 impression. In 1838 he delivered a "half century dis- 
 course" to a large and attentive audience. He gradually 
 sunk beneath the weight of years, and, like a shock of corn 
 fully ripe, was gathered home, at the age of 82 years. Aug. 
 3, 1850, the church was again called to put on the habih- 
 ments of mourning, by the death of Dea. Sherman Cooper, 
 at the advanced age of 89 years. For nearly fifty seven 
 years he had been a member of this church, and, for a long 
 period, an active and efficient officer in the same. 
 
 E«v. Dennis Powers, was a native of this town May 24, 
 
GOSHEN. '4l7 
 
 1808 ; graduated from Amherst college, Me., in 1835, and 
 from the theological seminary at Andover, Ms. in 1838. He 
 was ordained and settled over the Congregational church 
 and societ}'^ of East Randolph, Ms., Dec. 5, 1838. At his 
 own request he was dismissed from this church and people, 
 April 15, 1841. On the 29th of September 1842, he was 
 installed as pastor of the church and society of South Ab- 
 ington, Ms. In 1850 he received his dismission. He is 
 now an agent of the American Colonization Society. Rev. 
 Messrs. Urias Powers, Samuel Read Hall, Josiah W. Pow- 
 ers, Austin Putnam, also became Congregational ministers. 
 Rev. Baron Stow, D.D., of Baldwin Place Baptist church, 
 Boston, was born here June 16, 1801 ; Rev. James W. Put- 
 nam became a Universalist minister. S. R. Hall, above 
 mentioned, has been an eminent teacher of the young and 
 many have become pious under his influence. 
 
 The church, at the settlement of Mr. Haven, consisted of 
 30 members ; it now numbers about 45. Since its organiza- 
 tion, it has received 270 additions. The church records 
 contain a list of 430 baptisms. Of these, 103 were baptized 
 Jidem parentis ; and 327 were baptized per fidem ejus. 
 
 GOSHEN. 
 
 Rev. H. RiCHARBSOX. 
 
 The first settlement was made here, about the year 1769, 
 by Capt. Benjamin Rand, William Lang and Daniel Grin- 
 die, whose sufferings and hardships were very great. The 
 crops of the first settlers were greatly injured, and sometimes 
 entirely destroyed by early frosts. In such cases, they pro- 
 cured grain from Walpole and other places. At a certain 
 time of scarcity, Capt. Rand went to that place after grain, 
 and, being detained by a violent snow storm, his family were 
 obliged to Uve without provision for six days, during which 
 time Mrs. Rand sustained one of their children, five years 
 old, by the milk from her breast, having a short time before 
 buried her infant child. In the spring of 1813, the spotted 
 fever swept off many of the inhabitants. 
 
 Dea. Josiah Stevens, a member of the church in Newport, 
 and a licensed preacher, came to reside in Goshen in June 
 1798. He labored here until October 1800, when he removed 
 to the Isle of Shoals, where he labored as a missionary about 
 three years, and was then called away by death to his reward. 
 He is supposed to be the first Congregational minister who 
 
448 SULLIVAN COUNTY. 
 
 ever preached in this place. This chnrch was organized Feb. 
 23, 1802, by Rev. Elihu Thayer, pastor of the church in 
 Kingston ; Rev. Abijah Wines, pastor of the church in 
 Newport ; and Joseph Hull, delegate from the church in 
 Lempster. It consisted of seven members. Some years 
 after this the number of its male members was reduced to a 
 single individual. The number of persons connected with 
 it since its formation to the present time, has been 151 — 
 52 males and 99 females. There have been 237 baptisms — 
 184 children and 53 adults.. This church has never had a 
 settled pastor. The names of 22 different ministers appear 
 in the church records as having officiated in the admission 
 of members, and in the administration of baptism. Some 
 of these were pastors of neighboring churches ; others were 
 missionaries sent here at different times by the New Hamp- 
 shire, or some other Missionary Society. Rev. Stephen 
 Williams, Moses Ordway and Lucius Field, labored here as 
 stated supplies. But of the time and duration of their 
 labors there is no record to be found. 
 
 Rev. Abel Manning labored here as stated supply at three 
 different times, beginning about 1825. He was here about 
 nine years in all. Rev. Stephen Rogers came in 1835, and 
 remained nearly three years. Rev. Aaron Wait came about 
 1840 and remained about six years. Rev. Gary Russell came 
 in 1846 and labored one year. Rev. Henry Richardson has 
 been a stated supply since March 1850. 
 
 Revivals of religion occurred during the labors of Mr. Rog- 
 ers and Mr. Wait, which resulted in the addition of consid- 
 erable numbers to the church. For a number of years past 
 there has been no general revival, but there have been a few 
 hopeful conversions occurring at different times. In 1836 
 the church and society erected a Meeting-house. For about 
 twenty years previous they had been partially accommo- 
 dated in what is now called the old Meeting-house, built 
 by the town and standing about one mile north of the 
 present place of worship of this church. Within a few years 
 two other houses of worship have been erected — one by the 
 Baptists in the westerly part of the town, and another by 
 the Christian denomination in the northerly part. Not- 
 withstanding the increase of church edifices, there has been 
 no increase in attendance upon public worship. In by-gone 
 years, a larger congregation assembled at the old Meeting- 
 house than now comprises the three congregations who meet 
 in the town for public worship. 
 
LAKGDON. 449 
 
 GRANTHAM. 
 
 Granted in 1767, it was not very rapidly settled. Moun- 
 tains divide its inhabitants so that they cannot conveniently 
 meet centrally. Some of the people on the west side of the 
 mountain unite with Meriden parish, and on the east side 
 there is a Methodist church embracing 108 members. In 
 1820, there were manufactured in this town 225 hogsheads 
 of cider, which, with the thousands of gallons of stronger 
 liquors doubtless consumed, must have given quite a com- 
 fortable supply — a hogshead of cider for every four and a 
 half persons, not excluding in the estimate the little ones. 
 If Grantham was a fair representative of other towns in the 
 State, about 50,000 hogsheads were made. But it may have 
 been a very uncommon year. 
 
 LANGDON.* 
 
 Rev. C. Tatlob, V, 
 
 This church was organized in 1792, five years after the 
 town was incorporated, in a room fitted up in a grist mill 
 owned by Obadiah Kingsbury, a small distance northwest of 
 the middle of the town. The Rev. Messrs. Mead of Alstead, 
 and Fessenden of Walpole, it is believed, assisted in its for- 
 mation. Among the early ministers who preached here, are 
 recollected the names of Lazel, Hartwell, Spaulding, and 
 Taft. From 1795 to Oct. 25, 1803, Mr. Taft probably did 
 most of the preaching. At this last date, tradition says, he 
 turned politician, and the town records show that he was 
 chosen to represent the town in General Court. April 
 20, 1803, the town voted to "raise $100, for preaching, 
 and that one half be laid out for the Congregational order, 
 and the other half for the Universalist order." In 1803, 
 Oct. 25, " voted to hire Mr. Kneeland to preach in this town 
 two Sundays in a month for one year, and give him five dol- 
 lars a day, and to attend funerals when convenient, and to 
 attend Thanksgi\'ing and Fast gratis." 
 
 Aug. 27, in the year 1804, at a regular town meeting, "voted 
 to settle Mr. Kneeland in the ministry provided he will settle 
 on reasonable terms." His answer to the call is as follows, in 
 part : " Abner Kneeland to the brethren and church and 
 town of Langdon sendeth greeting : Since it hath pleased 
 God, as I humbly trust, to put it into your hearts to make 
 
 i • Sketch by Hct. J. Wood. 
 
450 
 
 SULLIVAN COUNTY. 
 
 proposals unto me for the settlement with you in the gospel 
 ministry, I feel myself in duty bound to give you the foUow- 
 ing answer. When I first entered upon the work of the min- 
 istry, it appeared to me to be of the most importance of any 
 business that I ever engaged in, and caused, at that time, 
 many serious reflections and anticipations ; but the weight 
 and importance of the business as it then appeared to me is 
 by no means to be compared to the burden that has laid on 
 my mind, ever since I have contemplated upon taking the 
 charge of one particular flock to be their pastor and teacher. 
 mail ^^od direct me! 
 
 " Dear Brethren and Christian friends, I now proceed to 
 perform that task that I should by no means feel able to 
 perform if I had not, previous to this, given myself away to 
 God witliout any reserve to be his faithful servant. It is no 
 less a task than to give myself away to you, not to be your 
 lord, not to be your master, but to be your minister and hum- 
 ble servant — which I now declare in the presence of Almighty 
 God and this respectful audience — that I will accept of your 
 proposals to settle with you in the gospel ministry, and may 
 God make me profitable unto you and yours through our Lord 
 Jesus Christ. I am your ministering servant and brother in 
 Christ. ABNEE KNEELAND." 
 
 Previous to Mr. Kneeland's coming to Langdon, he had 
 been a Baptist minister, and preached in several places in 
 the State of Vermont. When he came to Langdon he said 
 he had changed his sentiments, and assumed the title of a 
 "jyracticcd preacher." Some members refused to unite in 
 the call, and remonstrated with the council against his set- 
 tlement. But the evangelical portion of the church was in 
 the minority, and the voice of the legal voters of the town 
 contested the council. He was settled Oct. 30, 1805. The 
 town voted in 1806 to raise $ 300, and those who refused to 
 pay to Rev. A. Kneeland might employ such a preacher as 
 they preferred. The town voted in 1807 to raise $280 for 
 preaching, and each denomination to have their equal share. 
 In 1810, Mr. Kneeland being chosen representative to Gen- 
 eral Court, the town "voted not to raise money to hire 
 preaching this year." "Voted to raise $40 to support the 
 Convention (Universalist) to be held in September next, and 
 that it be raised in the same way that Mr. Kneeland's tax is 
 raised." At a town meeting in 1811, " voted to dismiss Mr. 
 Kneeland from the public ministry in this town the last week 
 in September, agreeably to his request and that of the First 
 Universalist Society in Charlestown, Ms., and that the se- 
 lectmen answer Mr. Kneeland's request by letter. In 1819, 
 
LANGDON. 4S1 
 
 the town voted to raise $150 for preaching. This is the last 
 sum the town ever voted to raise for this purjiose, the stat- 
 ute requiring money to be raised by general tax, being this 
 year repealed by the Legislature. 
 
 In 1820, Rev. Ezekiel Rich appeared here as a missionary. 
 As one eifect of liis labors, a council was called to organize, 
 or, (more properly,) re-organize the church. Nine members 
 who refused to cooperate with the church and town in the 
 support of Abner Kneeland, were here united, and nine 
 ■were at the same time received by profession. The original 
 church records were kept by those who adhered to Mr. Knee- 
 land. The scribe of that organization moved to the West, 
 and took wdth him both the records and the communion fur- 
 niture, from which nothing has since been heard. And with 
 the records, the visible organization disappeared. There is 
 no record of preaching or the administration of the Lord's 
 Supper between February, 1820, and the fall of 18.34. Yet 
 the church enjoyed preaching on the Sabbath occasionally — 
 eight members were added to the church and there were 34 
 infant baptisms. 
 
 In the autumn of 1834 Mr. Nelson Barbour, a student of 
 Andover theological seminary, came and spent his vacation 
 here. On his arrival he could with difficulty find a place 
 of entertainment, much less the gift of his board during 
 the term of six weeks. Opposition to truth had been cul- 
 tivated by Abner Kneeland, and by Universalist minis- 
 ters of almost every grade, who came to this town as their 
 accredited rendezvous. And the fruit of their labors had at- 
 tained an abundant and sturdy growth. But Mr. Barbour 
 was not to be turned away without an attempt to fulfill his 
 mission. His efforts the Lord blest to the quickening of his 
 children, and the conversion of several of the impenitent; 
 13 were added to the church — 5 by letter, and 8 by profes- 
 sion. And but for those rules of the theological seminary, 
 which Samuel J. Mills under similar circumstances trans- 
 gressed, he might have remained a few weeks and gathered 
 in the abundant harvest which seemed already ripe. But he 
 left, and meetings ceased, and hearts that were apparently 
 melting into penitence at the feet of Jesus, gradually set- 
 tled down under the hardening power of sin. In 1835, Rev. 
 Stephen Rogers preached for them. While enjoying his 
 labors this little church accepted proposals to unite with 
 Christian brethren, in Papermill village, (Alstead,) and 
 Drewsville, (Walpole,) in a church to be called the Union 
 Congregational church. This church was formed on 
 temperance principles, and eight of the members therefore 
 
452 SULLIVAN COUNTY. 
 
 refused to join it, and their subsequent lives fully proved 
 that they had only " a name to live." Sixteen members of 
 the church in Langdon united in the Union church, 28 from 
 Papermill village and Drewsville, making in all 44. Until 
 1838, the church met alternately at each of the three places 
 above named, when they could obtain preaching. During 
 18.37, Mr. Justus L. Jones, a licensed student of the Theo- 
 logical Institute at East Windsor, supplied them. During 
 the winter of 1838 the Rev. John Longly spent his time in 
 Langdon, and ])reached for his board. In the mean time, 
 such was the imcertain and unpropitious state of things rel- 
 ative to the Union Church, that the members in Langdon 
 requested the privilege of doing by themselves what they 
 could for one year. This request was granted. The num- 
 ber of members in Langdon at this time was 14, seven males 
 and seven females. There were only two of the male mem- 
 bers who were not past the meridian of life and the season 
 of efficient action. 
 
 In February, 1839, Mr. John Wood was solicited by this 
 feeble band to come among them. He felt that he could 
 not. His course of study at East Windsor theological sem- 
 inary would not close until the next August. He intended 
 lieing a foreign missionary. He felt that no money could 
 induce him to dwell where Abner Kneeland had labored, and 
 still wielded a controlling influence. Yet the "mind of the 
 Spirit" was at length so apparent to him that he consented 
 to come for one year, with permission to finish his studies at 
 the seminary. The arrangement became known. The Uni- 
 versalists made arrangements to have preaching half the 
 time, one week after. The Orthodox must now suspend 
 their meetings half the time or gather at a private house. 
 A room, once occupied as a store, was procured, in a house 
 afterwards purchased for a parsonage. To this place a little 
 company of 15 to 25 resorted when the Meeting-house was 
 occupied. The greatest efforts were made to cast contempt 
 upon this meeting. But a spirit equally strong was in the 
 few hearts that united in the enterprise. In the meeting 
 which they held the evening previous to making proposals 
 to Mr. Wood, they uttered the fullness of their hearts. One 
 brother said he would board him and find him a horse. An- 
 other said he was not worth $800, but "rather than have 
 my chihlren grow up under the influence of the wickedness 
 tliat prevails here, I would give half of it for the preaching 
 of the gospel among us." But little idea can be gained of 
 the trials that awaited Mr. Wood. For, years before he was 
 Iwrn, Abner Kneeland had planted the standard of atheism 
 
LANODON. 453 
 
 there, and taught the people that gospel iiiiniatcrs were a set 
 of crafty, money-loving idlers — and that they might as well 
 take their texts from an old almanac as from tlie Bible if 
 such had been the custom. This impression was greatly 
 confirmed by the multitude of Universalist ministers who in 
 turn succeeded him and each other there, and differed from 
 him more in name than in sentiment. But Mr. Wood en- 
 tered the field. A Sabbath School was soon organized. Per- 
 sonal invitation by the pastor and teachers upon each Sab- 
 bath, for securing the attendance, was pursued for more than 
 two years. The morals of the people of the toAvn were the 
 legitimate product of Universalism and Atheism. Tlie Sab- 
 bath w^as desecrated by hunting, fishing and riding, and pro- 
 faneness was common talk — rum-drinking general — tlie only 
 store keeper in the town stated in a public meeting that for 
 twelve years he had sold but a little short of $1000 worth 
 of ardent spirits each year, and though some that he sold 
 was carried out of town, yet he did not doulit but that 
 enough had been brought into town, to more tJian counter- 
 balance what had been carried out, and this in a town of 
 less than 700 inhabitants. The store was open on the Sab- 
 bath, and the minister, as he stood in the pulpit, in tlie old 
 Meeting-house, could see carried away from there, jugs, 
 scythes, codfish, and other articles of merchandise. This 
 view, together with the whittling of the boys and young men 
 as they entered the galleries of the old church, and seated 
 themselves with their hats on, with Abner Kneeland's paper 
 as an instrument of amusement and disturbance — their often 
 distorted faces and loud whisperings of approbation or disap- 
 probation of the truths he uttered, led liim to feel that he 
 had not exactly found the valley of the prophet Ezekiel's vis- 
 ion, but the land of sternest missionary necessities. A neigh- 
 boring minister exchanged with him one Sabbath, and was 
 greatly annoyed by the improper conduct of the young peo- 
 ple. When they met on Monday morning, he in(iuired 
 " How is it possible that you can stay in Langdon.^ 1 would 
 not stay there for $1000 a year." The following Sabliath Mr. 
 Wood preached from Acts 17: 5. Just as he was speaking 
 this text a young man came and rapped very hard witli his 
 fist upon the front door, opened it, made a low bow, and 
 sauntered to a seat, evidently expecting to witness a general 
 smile. But the text just repeated gave an opposite turn to 
 his effort, and the repetition of it served to produce shame 
 rather than amusement in himself. The sermon on this oc- 
 casion, together with an expressed regret that the minister 
 who had officiated the previous Sabbath had been annoyed by 
 
454 ' SULLIVAN COUNTY. 
 
 the conduct of the young people in the gallery, with an allu- 
 sion to the perfect propriety manifested by the crowded gal- 
 leries of young people where he spent the last Sabbath, had 
 the desired effect, and from this time there was a manifest 
 disposition among all classes to conduct with decorum in the 
 house of God. Balls were a favorite amusement for the young 
 and middle-aged people during the winter season. They reg- 
 ularly held two a week. The young men would spend in this 
 way from $20 to $40 each during a winter. 
 
 June 3, 1839, the Union church met at the vestry in 
 Langdon, and "voted that Langdon be the center place of 
 church meetings for business, communion, &c., till it shall 
 be deemed expedient to meet somewhere else." Feb. 11, 
 1840, the church voted to change the name to the "First 
 Evancrelical Cono;reo;ational Church of Christ in Lan2;don." 
 At this time the state of things assumed the appearance of 
 prosperity. Proposals were made to Mr. Wood to settle 
 with them and receive ordination as their pastor. This 
 proposition occasioned severe spiritual trials. To accede to 
 it would be the abandonment of his cherished plans. But 
 after much meditation and prayer, he decided to settle with 
 this church in the ministry, and was ordained its pastor 
 April 8, 1840. During this year four were added to the 
 church by letter. Infants baptized, five. 
 
 The services of ordination had a most happy effect. The 
 way of the Spirit was being cast up. During the winter of 
 1840-41 the Holy Spirit descended, giving power and effect 
 to the preached word. This state of things required an 
 increase in the number of meetings and religious labors. In 
 these Mr. Wood recj[uested the assistance of brother Law- 
 rence of Claremont, who very kindly and heartily came and 
 entered into the work with him. It was a time of awful 
 solemnity. Several cases were of peculiar interest. "There 
 came a heavy fall of snow and the roads were utterly impas- 
 sable, and one family, situated more than two miles from 
 the Meeting-house and the physician, found themselves in 
 great distress — they thought they were sick and must 
 attempt to get the physician, but the furious v.'ind and the 
 heaps of snow at once convinced them that the attempt 
 would be futile. They were, they hardly knew how, led to 
 the Bible and to Grod, in prayer, and they soon found that 
 relief at the foot of the cross which they needed. The Great 
 Physician came, notwithstanding the tempest, and healed 
 their sin-sick souls. Another case, deeply interesting, was 
 that of a young man, a son of an atheist, and who also- 
 embraced the same cheerless error. He worked as a hired 
 
LANGDON. 455 
 
 man in the same family for several seasons, and he was 
 engaged for the ensuing summer. The head of this family 
 had just hopefully experienced religion. The day on which 
 the young man was to commence work for the season arriv- 
 ed, and, having engaged another young man of his own 
 stamp to accompany him, they went expecting, as he after- 
 wards said, that their presence would so intimidate the man 
 that he would omit family prayer. If he did, he should 
 pronounce his religion a farce. At the appointed time, the 
 family seated themselves and he took the Bible and read the 
 account given of the rich man and Lazarus. The attention 
 of the young man was arrested, riveted. He could not cavil. 
 He thought all noticed his embarrassment. He dared not 
 look up. At length the Scripture reading was finished and 
 the man knelt and offered to God a most simple, penitent, 
 earnest prayer, at the close of which he immediately left the 
 room. A short time after this, this same young man came 
 to the meeting for religious conversation and prayer, at the 
 pastor's study, with his employer. He here expressed a 
 trembling hope that he had given himself to the Savior, and 
 related the above account of his first religious impressions. 
 This narrative greatly affected his employer, who immediate- 
 ly exclaimed, "</i/,s must he the ivork of God — all of God, 
 for I never felt so ashamed of the performance of my reli- 
 gious duties as on that occasion. I expected to be made the 
 object of ridicule and contempt, but God made it the mani- 
 festation of his wisdom and power. To God be all the 
 glory." As the result of this season of refreshing, 13 were 
 added to the church, eight of whom received the ordinance 
 of baptism. During the winter and spring of 1841-2, efforts 
 were made for the erection of a Meeting-house. Having 
 already purchased a house for a parsonage and obligated 
 themselves to pay $550, and expended a considerable sum 
 in repairs to render it inhabitable, and paying between two 
 and three per cent, on their grand list for the preaching of 
 the gospel, yet they subscribed $700 towards the erection 
 of a Meeting-house. There was a sad accident at the rais- 
 ing of the frame, by which one man was instantly killed, 
 and several others more or less severely bruised. This event 
 threw a cloud of gloom over the hearts of the church and 
 others who wished well to their cause. The house was fin- 
 ished and dedicated Oct. 29, 1842. 
 
 During the preceding season several important members 
 removed their residence from town and were no longer espe- 
 cially interested in the prosperity of this little Zion. The 
 Meeting-house and land on which it stands were not wholly 
 
456 SULLIVAN COUNTY. 
 
 paid for. The burden rested so heavily on tliose remaining 
 as to quite discourage them. But looking up to the God 
 of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, whence cometh help to the 
 distressed, and crying earnestly to him, "Help us, Lord 
 our God for we rest on thee," they determined to make 
 another earnest effort. The pastor, who had already obtain- 
 ed subscriptions from the neighboring churches and in Bos- 
 ton and vicinity to the amount of $700, made another and 
 a successful appeal for help. The debt was paid and the 
 house and land on which it stood became subject to the con- 
 trol of the church, and the rent of the slips appropriated to 
 the support of the preaching of the gospel. The peace 
 desired, in the erection of this Sanctuary, was fully secured. 
 
 The church had to this time struggled incessantly against 
 many adversaries and with great disadvantages. But instead 
 of being consumed or weakened, she, like oppressed Israel 
 in Egypt, increased the more. On the day the house was 
 dedicated, to what one member expressed, all the rest hear- 
 tily subscribed. "I know not," said he, "that I have a 
 straio less or am one cent the poorer for the lumber, labor 
 and time I have spent in building this house for God. I have 
 been blest, ^vospered and succeeded in every thing I have 
 undertcd"en far beyond W-y largest expected! ons. Truly God 
 ■is faithful to his p)romise." The church now being delivered 
 out of the hands of her enemies, might serve God without 
 fear, in holiness and righteousness. But the church as a 
 body inclined too much to the side of carnal rest and inac- 
 tivity. Under a sense of duty Mr. Wood asked a dissolu- 
 tion of the pastoral relation, which was obtained in the 
 month of January 1849. He is now settled in Townshend, Vt. 
 
 No minister has been installed here since Mr. Wood left. 
 Rev. Nelson Barbour labored as stated supply from March 
 1849 .to March 1852, and Bev. Edwin Jennison from May 
 1852 to March 1854. After Mr. Jennison left, the pulpit 
 was supplied most of the time by Rev. iS. R. Arms of Spring- 
 iield, Vt., till September 1854, when Rev. C. Taylor com- 
 menced laboring here as stated supply. Contributions to 
 benevolent objects, since 1849, amount to nearly $200, most 
 of it to the N. H. Missionary Society. Since Mr. Wood left 
 the number of infant baptisms is 21, and the additions to 
 the church 22. The open opposition to the truth here is 
 much less now than formerly. A large proportion of the 
 inhabitants take a decided stand in favor of temperance ; 
 and in point of morality and good order, this town will 
 probably compare favorably with other towns in New Eng- 
 land. The town is now a notable instance of the reformato- 
 ry power of evangelical truth in society generally. 
 
LEMPSTEK. 457 
 
 LEMPSTER. 
 
 Rev. Robert Page. 
 
 The church was organized Nov. 13, 1781, with seven male 
 members. Rev. Elias Fisher, ha^ang preached here half a 
 year, was ordained as pastor Sept. 25, 1787. He continued 
 in that office till his decease May 22, 1831, nearly 44 years. 
 For a few years before his death however, through the 
 infirmities of age, he did not preach. Four had been added 
 before his settlement, and 200 were added before he received 
 a colleague. Rev. Charles M, Brown was settled as colleague 
 Sept. 18, 1828. He was dismissed Nov. 16, 1830. Rev. 
 Broughton Wliite supplied the desk afterward two or three 
 years. Rev. Ebenezer Coleman was installed as pastor Dec. 
 3, 1834 ; he was dismissed Sept. 25, 1838 ; about 50 had 
 been added since Mr. Brown was settled. Rev. Samuel H. 
 Tolman commenced preaching here June 2, 1839 ; he closed 
 his labors in April 1844 ; 35 were added in his time. Rev. 
 Daniel Sawyer, after others had preached in the place, was 
 ordained as pastor May 13, 1846 ; he was dismissed Nov. 
 7, 1850 ; 22 were added in his ministry. Rev. Robert Page 
 commenced preaching here in April 1851. His labors with 
 the church are still continued ; 23 have been added to the 
 church — 21 by j)rofession. All who have belonged to the 
 church number 337. The present number is 85 ; 29 males, 
 and 56 females. Baptisms from the beginning have been 
 433. The records were burnt in 1846, so that the history 
 cannot be made perfect. 
 
 From an aged man, now member of the second church, we 
 learn that in 1798 a revival followed the preaching of a 
 funeral sermon from Ps. 12 : 1. More than forty joined the 
 Congregational church, and 40 children were baptized in one 
 day. In 1823, there was an extensive revival reaching to 
 all parts of the town ; more than fifty joined the Congrega- 
 tional church, and still more joined otlier denominations. In 
 1831, a revival commenced under the labors of Rev. Brough- 
 ton White in the S. E. School District ; it spread gradually 
 till all parts of the town shared largely in the work. This 
 continued more than two years, and more than forty joined 
 the Congregational church. Tliere was a similar season of 
 refreshing while Mr. Tolman ministered to this people. The 
 church received an unction from the Holy One which has 
 never been wholly lost. 
 
 Since the present minister came to the place there has been 
 another revival. It commenced in October 1853. A hope 
 30 
 
458 
 
 SULLIVAN COUNTY. 
 
 of such a season had been created once or twice before, espe- 
 cially by the state of feehng in the church. That hope had 
 been destroyed by the passing away of the feeling which 
 inspired it. And now the prospect was very dark. Never 
 before, since he came to the place, was the aspect of things 
 so discouraging. The prayer meeting was thinner than ever, 
 and "the way of the Lord" seemed farther from being "pre- 
 pared" by his people than at any time before. When the 
 revival commenced it took the church by surprise. They 
 were not looking for it, and the general confession was that 
 they were not prepared for it. It was almost like a rain 
 from a cloudless sky. 
 
 It first appeared in the select school taught by a pious 
 student of Dartmouth college. Two young ladies, one of 
 whom had been somewhat anxious about her salvation for 
 months, and the other for a year or two, — but who had not 
 made it known, — were much more deeply impressed on a 
 Sabbath in October, and that week began to hope, as did two 
 others also, that they had " passed from death unto life." 
 The work went on rapidly till some twenty five or more had 
 come to indulge the same hope, the most of them within the 
 space of four weeks. It seemed like a summer shower — sud- 
 den, and soon over. Convictions were generally deep and 
 short. The subjects were generally young — nearly all under 
 thirty, and most of them under twenty. The greater part 
 had had their attention awakened, more or less, for weeks 
 or months before the revival commenced. Sixteen — includ- 
 ing two who were not siibjects of this revival — united with 
 the church Jan. 1,1854. Four others joined in March. AU 
 of these, except three or four, had parents, one or both of 
 whom were professors of religion. 
 
 This was a striking display of the sovereignty of God in 
 the gift of his Spirit. The church were not, as a body, ear- 
 nestly praying for it, and they acknowledged that they had 
 not "prepared the way of the Lord." And though there 
 was a reviving in the church, after the work began, yet this 
 was not by any means so general as might have been expect- 
 ed. And there were other things, beside the lack of deep 
 general interest, to grieve the Spirit of Grod. The work, 
 from beginning to end, was by the wonderful sovereignty of 
 God. And in another respect this sovereignty appeared, — 
 the year before, there were revivals in about all the neigh- 
 boring churches, and in the Methodist church in tins town ; 
 but all was the coldness of death here. Noio the Spirit of 
 God was poured out here, and on none of the surrounding 
 churches. " He causeth it to rain upon one city, and cans- 
 
LEMPSTEE. 459 
 
 eth it not to rain upon another city." " Even so, Father, for 
 so it seemeth good in thy sight." 
 
 The Articles of the church recognize intant haptisni as 
 Scriptural ; but the Covenant does not absolutely re^'WiVe it. 
 Most of the church practice it, but a few do not. Home do 
 not, because their children are not, in this thing, under their 
 control. The Lord's Supper is administered every alternate 
 month beginning with Januaiy, as is common with most of 
 our churches. Mr. Fisher, settled by the town, was to have 
 a ministerial lot of land, £ 30 as a settlement, and £ 40 as 
 salary, which was to be increased yearly, until it amounted 
 to £ 70 ; also his fire wood. The salary of Mr, Brown was 
 $ 400. Since Mr. Fisher's death the ministers have occu- 
 pied the parsonage, given by Mr. Fisher, and consisting at 
 present of 60 or 70 acres of land, mostly pasturage and wood 
 land, with a comfortable house and other buildings. Besides 
 tlris, the society have given, for some years, $ 200 and the 
 wood drawn and partly prepared for the fire. The church 
 have given for a few years, for the various objects of benev- 
 olence, from $ 70 to more than $ 100 annually. 
 
 The first settlers, who came here a little more than 80 
 years ago, were mostly from Connecticut. They very soon 
 set up the jiubhc worship of Grod, some 3'ears before any 
 preacher of the gospel came here. That worshijs has always 
 been maintained. For some years it was in j^rivate houses ; 
 then in a school house. A Meeting-house was built, after a 
 long trial to fix on the spot, in 1794. This was removed, in 
 the course of some thirty years or more, to the principal vil- 
 lage in the town. At length the Congregational society, not 
 being permitted to occupy it all the time, built a new house. 
 This occasioned the going off of many, who united with the 
 Methodists in building another house. Two members of this 
 church, trained up here, studied for the ministry. One of 
 these died before completing his studies, — the other went to 
 the South to teach, and is also dead. Two others, though 
 not born here, were for some years members of the church, 
 and are now in the ministry. One other jierson, raised up 
 in the town, is now a Congregational minister, though he 
 was not a member of this church. 
 
 Extract from the sermon of Mr. Fisher at the dedication 
 of the Meeting-house in 1822 : "It is more than time that 
 I should close my discourse. But before we sei)arate, I feel 
 constrained to single out from this promiscuous assembly, who 
 have honored us with their presence and assistance this day, 
 the members of my dear congregation, to whom I have for 
 so many years dispensed the word of life, with whom I have 
 
460 
 
 SULLIVAN COUNTY. 
 
 lived in such remarkable harmony and peace, and from whom 
 I must shortly take my final leave. My dear brethren and 
 friends : I must shortly exchange this sacred desk for a sable 
 coffin, and this holy mansion for the house appointed for all 
 the living. that I may obtain mercy of the Lord upon 
 that all-important day ! 
 
 " But if, before my departure, I could see my congrega- 
 tion of one heart and one mind — all united in upholding the 
 v*rorship of God, and building up the cause and interest of 
 our Divine Eedeemer in this place — could I see one more uni- 
 versal attention to religion before I die — could I have a hope- 
 ful prospect that a more worthy successor will take my place 
 when my head is laid in the dust — it seems as though it 
 would make my setting sun look pleasant, and afford a cheer- 
 ing ray to lighten me through the dark and gloomy valley 
 that I must shortly pass. I can say no more ; my tears 
 must R-peak the rest !" In the following year the revival 
 
 came. 
 
 LEMPSTEE.* 
 
 Second Church. 
 
 This church was organized Feb. 1st, 1837, of 19 members. 
 It received from the First church ten persons. The whole 
 number of members is 63 — present number 23 — deaths 
 10. Infant baptisms 1.5. One brother is studying for the 
 ministiy. The Meeting-house stands 100 rods east from 
 the geographical center of the town. The grave yard is 30 
 rods south-east from the Meeting-house. This was selected 
 in June 1773, by Dea. Samuel Koundy, a few days after 
 Kufus Beekus was killed by a falling tree, and was the first 
 white person interred on the spot, and it has been used by 
 the town (excepting a few families,) ever since. The Con- 
 gregational Eight under the charter of the King of Eng- 
 land, comprising 200 acres, lay within one mile north-east 
 of Center Meeting-house. The oldest member of this church, 
 Samuel Eoundy, now 86 years of age, has been a member 
 56 years, and has read the Family Bible through in course 
 more than one hundred times since it was given him by his 
 father, (Dea. S. Eoundy,) in 1821, and for twenty years 
 before this had practiced reading it in course as all Chris- 
 tians should do. A practical belief in the Old as well as 
 New Testament as the Word of God, is the only preventive 
 against embracing every new ism. 
 
 * Sketch by Dea. R. Roundy. 
 
MEEIDEN. 461 
 
 The following ministers have labored with this church : — 
 Eev. Messrs. Stephen Eogers, Justus L. Janes, S. 8. Arnold 
 Samuel Mason, Aaron Waitt, A. S. Swift, J. Peahody. The 
 first eight years the congregation was twice as large as it now 
 is. The Methodist church numhers from forty to fifty. — 
 Three ministers of this order have been raised up, and within 
 thirty years eight Universalist ministers. Since 1836, there 
 have been three or four seasons of rehgious interest. 
 
 MEEIDEN. 
 
 Rev. Amos Blanchard. 
 
 On the 7th of February 1780 the town of Plainfield 
 voted that the inhabitants in the east part of the town 
 might unite with the inhabitants of the west jjart of New 
 Grrantham in the support of the gospel. The first meeting, 
 of which record is made, relating to parish business, was held 
 May 23, 1796. The subject matter of this meeting was to 
 raise a fund of £ 1000, the interest of which was to be 
 applied to the support of a gospel minister in this parish. — 
 A committee was chosen for this purpose, and after discuss- 
 ing the subject for a few meetings it was abandoned. 
 
 The name of Meriden was given to this parish by the late 
 Dr. Woods of Boscawen, who was the first preacher employ- 
 ed here after the sep)aration took place, and to whom the 
 naming of the parish was entrusted. The name was proba- 
 bly taken from a parish of that name, in the town of Wal- 
 lingford, New Haven county. Conn. The parish itself was 
 incorporated in 1780 or '81. A revival of religion was 
 enjoyed under the preacliing of Dr. Woods, who commenced 
 his ministry here. As the result of this revival, on the 2d 
 of May 1780, a Congregational church was organized by the 
 Eev. Josiah Potter of Lebanon, consisting of 14 members. 
 The church extended a call to Dr. Woods, which he declin- 
 ed. In 1782-3 another revival of religion was enjoyed, dur- 
 ing which the church extended a call to Mr. Nahum Sar- 
 gent, which he declined. 
 
 Eev. Experience Estabrook, a member of the Londonder- 
 ry Presbytery was installed the first pastor of this church, 
 June 6, 1787. As the old Meeting-house was small, and in 
 an unfinished and dilapidated condition, his installation took 
 place in the open air. He was dismissed by a mutual coun- 
 cil, May 7, 1792. It appears, however, by a vote of the 
 church, Aug. 22, 1793, that Mr. Estabrook continued to 
 
462 SULLIVAN COUNTY. 
 
 supply the pulpit and administer the ordinances for some 
 time after his dismission. There is no record of the nimiher 
 added, or dismissed during his ministry, though it is stated 
 that the church was much diminished by removals and 
 deaths tiU 1799. 
 
 Mr. Siloam Short was ordained and installed over this 
 church, Nov. 7, 1799. After his settlement the church 
 enjoyed a period of great prosperity. The congregation was 
 large, the house being literally filled on the Sabbath. Dur- 
 ing his brief ministry, a very interesting revival of religion 
 was enjoyed, which increased the number of members to 
 about 100. Mr. Short died very suddenly of scarlet fever, 
 Sept. 29, 1803, aged 32, and in the fourth year of his minis- 
 try. Mr. Short was an eminent Christian and a devoted 
 and faithful minister. He had a good report of them that 
 are without. Those now in the church, and others who 
 remember him, speak of him with much afl'ection even to 
 this day. His labors were greatly blessed, and liis death 
 proved a severe affliction to the church. 
 
 Mr. David Dickinson, a licentiate of the Brookfield Asso- 
 ciation, Ms., was ordained and installed pastor of the church 
 July 4, 1804. Mr. Dickinson had been a physician, pre- 
 vious to his entering the ministry. He continued pastor of 
 the church till June 25, 1819. During this period the 
 church was in a very unsettled state. Cases of discipline 
 and excommunication were frequent. Religion was low, 
 a few were added to the church. The records are so imper- 
 fect that no accurate statistics can be given. 
 
 Mr. Dana Clayes, a graduate of Andover theological semi- 
 nary, was ordained and installed over tMs church, July 4, 
 1821, and sustained the pastoral relation till Oct. 17, 1837. 
 So far as the records show, there were added to the church 
 during his ministry 74 individuals by profession, and 25 by 
 letter ; 24 were dismissed, and 27 children were baptized. — 
 No record seems to have been made of deaths or excommu- 
 nications. During the latter part of Mr. Clayes' ministry 
 an unhappy state of alienation existed between the minister 
 and a majority of the members of the church, and much bit- 
 terness among the brethren. This continued so long, and 
 to such a degree, as to result in great injury to the cause of 
 Christ in this place. Its sad results admonish Christians to 
 avoid strifes and division, and, "if it be possible" to five 
 peaceably with all men ; " and it warns ministers especially, 
 in all that concerns them personally, to "leave off conten- 
 tion before it is meddled with." From 1837 to 1840 the 
 church was without a pastor, but employed Rev. Edward 
 
MERIDEN. 463 
 
 Cleaveland, for one year. Wliile destitute of a pastor three 
 were added to the church by profession, three by letter, 
 seventeen were dismissed, three died, and eight children 
 were baptized. 
 
 Kev. Amos Blanchard, a native of Peacham, Vt., and 
 graduate of Andover theological seminary, was installed 
 pastor of this church Jan. 8, 1840. Since his installation 
 to Oct. 1, 1854, 60 individuals have united with the church 
 on profession of their faith ; 48 by letter ; 20 have been remov- 
 ed by death ; 25 have been dismissed, and 27 infants have 
 been, baptized. There have been two cases of discipline ; no 
 excisitms from the church. 
 
 Several seasons of religious interest have been enjoyed, 
 principally though not wholly, connected with Kimljall 
 Union Academy. During the first of these seasons about 
 40 of the students indulged hope ; in the second, 12 ; in the 
 third, 10, and during the fourth, about 20. Several have 
 indulged hojjes at other times ; but as the majority of those 
 hopefully converted were residents in other places, but few 
 comparatively have connected themselves with this church. 
 As nearly as can be ascertained, the church now numbers 
 104 members. 
 
 Miscellaneous Notices. The first house for public wor- 
 ship built in this parish was 30 feet by 40. It was very low 
 posted and boarded up and down like a barn. It was never 
 clapboarded. It had only one door, five or six places for 
 windows, which, with two or three exceptions, were closed 
 with rough boards. The interior was likewise unfinished ; 
 the naked timbers were in sight ; three or four rough parti- 
 tions constituted what were called pews ; and as a substitute 
 for a pulpit, there was a rude enclosure resembling a pen. — 
 The remainder of the floor was covered with rough benches, 
 for the accommodation of the congregation at large. This 
 was erected in 1783, and was occupied as a place for pubHc 
 worship and school room, and ^Dcrhaps occasional town meet- 
 ings till March 1797, when, by vote of the parish, it was sold 
 at public auction. 
 
 On the 24th of October 1796 it was voted in parish meet- 
 ing to build a new Meeting-house, the size of the present 
 house before its re-construction, 60 feet by 50, with a stee- 
 ple on one end and a porch on the other. This house was 
 erected at a cost of $4,400. The parish voted that the 
 house should be equally free to all denominations of _ Chris- 
 tians ; and that any proprietor should have the right to 
 introduce a preacher of his own denomination into the desk, 
 any Sabbath, or on any week day, when it was not supplied 
 
464 SULLIVAN COUNTY. 
 
 by the jiarish, or occupied by previous appointment, provid- 
 ed he did it at his own expense. Tliis was going for the 
 largest liberty ; but it was the occasion of much ill feeling 
 and difficulty in subsequent years. These difficulties were 
 happily adjusted in 1816 by an instrument in which the 
 principal Congregational members agreed to pay the disaf- 
 fected proprietors 75 cents on the dollar, on property owned 
 by them in the house, they promising to be content hereaf- 
 ter. So much interest was felt in public worship by the 
 people at that time, that, during the two years the house 
 was in finishing, temporary seats were put up, and occasional 
 meetings held in it on the Sabbath. Soon after the wood 
 work and painting were completed, a bell was procured and 
 suspended in its place, to the wonder and delight at least of 
 the youth. They had never heard one before, and would 
 often watch and listen for half an hour out of doors, even 
 on cold winter evenings, to catch its first peals. As this was 
 the first bell in this vicinity, till many years afterwards, it 
 excited so much envy among our neighbors in adjoining 
 towns that they called it the "Meriden Idol!" This house 
 continued to be occujjied as a place of public worship most 
 of the time for nearly fifty years. On the 10th of April 
 1843, an effort was commenced to repair and remodel the 
 house, which was completed in 1846, at a cost of $2849,46. 
 Kimball Union Academy. — As this Academy is inti- 
 mately connected with the cause of Christ, it claims some 
 notice in a religious history of this parish. It owed its ori- 
 gin to the suggestions of a poor, but pious young man from 
 this State, while pursuing theological studies in the North 
 of England. He had gone there to enjoy the advantages of 
 an institution with a partial course of studies, affording gra- 
 tuitous instruction and aid to young men of promise, in in- 
 digent circumstances, and candidates for the gospel ministry. 
 It was at first proposed to establish a similar institution in 
 this country — to be denominated " The New Hampshire and 
 Vermont Theological Seminary." Flattering encouragement 
 was held out, that material pecuniary aid could easily be 
 procured from England and Scotland for the endowment of 
 such a seminary. After mature and careful deliberation in 
 several conventions of clergymen, from Vermont, New Hamp- 
 shire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut — the last of which, 
 held at Windsor, Vt,, was opened with a sermon by Presi- 
 dent Dwight of Yale college — the original design was given 
 up. In consequence, however, of a liberal donation, prom- 
 ised by Hon, Daniel Kimball of Meriden, N. H., it was re- 
 solved by this convention to establish a school, with a consti- 
 
MEKIDEN. 465 
 
 tution essentially embraced in the present charter of the in- 
 stitution. Its object, as set forth in the iirst section of the 
 charter, should be — "to assist in the education of poor and 
 pious young men for the gospel ministry, and such others as 
 may be admitted by the Trustees, on tuition ; to be denom- 
 inated the Union Academy. 
 
 The will of the benevolent donor fixed the location in his 
 native village ; it provided for the pecuniary assistance of 
 that class of young men indicated above, only in their pre- 
 paratory course for college. It was incoi-porated in 1813 ; 
 its first building was dedicated Jan. 7, 1815 ; and the first 
 school opened on the following day. At the decease of Mr. 
 Kimball, which happened two years after the opening of the 
 school, he bequeathed to it the principal part of his valuable 
 estate as a permanent fund ; which amounts at present to 
 nearly $ 50,000. A new and beautiful edifice was added to 
 the original buildings in 1840 ; and a female department, 
 with a full and systematic course of study, was at that time 
 opened. Since that time, the patronage of the school, al- 
 ways large, has been much increased. The average number 
 of pupils, per term, has been over 200 ; the largest number 
 at any one time, 310. The classes fitted for college have 
 averaged, for the last fifteen years at least, more than 25 
 each ; and the number assisted as candidates for the minis- 
 try, from 15 to 20 each year. 
 
 The characteristic features of the school have been, its 
 permanency, its extensive board of thoroughly educated 
 teachers, and the consequent amount of instruction fur- 
 nished in comparison with other schools, its careful and 
 thorough discipline, and its decidedly religious character. 
 During the forty years of its active existence, it has had but 
 four principals. The first held his office four years ; the se- 
 cond, three ; the third, thirteen ; the present incumbent has 
 entered upon the twenty first year since his appointment. 
 Assistant teachers, many of them, have been almost as per- 
 manent. 
 
 It will be perceived by the circumstances of its origin, that 
 it was baptized as a child of the church. It was the design 
 of its pious founder to make it a fountain of righteousness, 
 as well as of knowledge. All its trustees and teachers must 
 be professors of rebgion, and subscribe to the Assembly's 
 Shorter Catechism, as the j)latform of their faith. It has al- 
 ways shared largely, and principally, in the sympathies and 
 patronage of New England churches. Its benevolent pro- 
 vision for the assistance of candidates for the ministry adds 
 materially to the number of pious students in attendance. It 
 
466 
 
 SULLIVAN COUNTY. 
 
 miglit be exjjected, therefore, as the result of this consecra- 
 tion and these advantages, that the dews of Heaven would 
 often distil upon it, and the blessings of a covenant-keeping 
 God would not be withheld. Such has been the case, in the 
 history of the institution up to the present time. There have 
 been many precious and powerful revivals of reUgion, result- 
 ing, we may believe, in the consecration of much youtliful tal- 
 ent to the service of the church and the world, as ministers, 
 missionaries, teachers, and useful citizens in all the profes- 
 sions and callings of life. During the last twenty years of 
 the school, there have been but four or five, out of the num- 
 ber, in which there has not been more or less special religious 
 interest ; in some instances, extending through each term 
 of the year ; in others, the refreshing seasons have been brief, 
 but of great power and effect, subduing under their influence 
 almost every individual ; in others still, there has been the 
 gentle shower, without observation, yet leaving behind most 
 pleasing evidence that it was from Heaven, in a new dedica- 
 tion of one and another to the service of Christ. So may it 
 continue to be in the future history of this seminary of the 
 church, only let these gracious influences be increased a hun- 
 dred fold, with a corresponding increase of watchfulness and 
 prayerful interest on the part of all the friends of religion 
 and Christian education. 
 
 NEWPORT. 
 
 Rev. Heney Cummings. 
 
 The charter of the township of Newport was granted in 
 1761. Five years later the first permanent settlement was 
 made by eight young men from Killingworth, Conn. Upon 
 the first Sabbath after their arrival, which was in the month 
 of June, they convened for public worship. And it is said, 
 that neither they nor their Congregational descendants have 
 allowed a Sabbath since to pass without assembling them- 
 seh'es for religious services. 
 
 The first jj/ace of worship was under a tree. Thence they 
 resorted to a private log house, which afforded aU the con- 
 veniences that they enjoyed for six or seven years. Here, 
 they were wont to listen to a layman, who read to them out 
 of the Scriptures, and from published sermons. But, in 
 November 1772, it was voted that a house 30 feet in length, 
 and 20 in width, with one fire place, be built at the cost of the 
 proprietors, to be finished in July 1773, to be used for rehg- 
 
NEWPOKT. 467 
 
 ions worship and for a school house, if need be, and that for 
 this purpose a tax of fifteen shilHngs lawful money he levied 
 on each proprietor's right. The first thing found in the 
 records of the town witli regard to preaching, is a vote ot 
 April 1778, to instruct a committee to confer with Mr. Hor- 
 ace Kendall, to see if he would stay and preach, the town 
 contributing every Sabbath for his support. In October 
 1779, measirrcs were taken by the Congregationalists in 
 town to organize a church. Kev. Aaron Plall, of Keene, 
 was the only minister present from abroad. He acted as 
 moderator of the meeting. Aaron Buell was chosen scribe. 
 Articles of faith, rules of discipline, and form of covenant 
 were adopted and signed by eight males and nine females. 
 The following year the town extended a call to Samuel 
 Wood, (afterward Eev. Dr. Wood of Boscawen,) and offered 
 him £ 100 as settlement and £ 45 as salary for two years, 
 the latter to be afterward increased £ 5 a year till it reached 
 £70, 
 
 In 1783, January 22d, Rev. John Eemele, having been pre- 
 viously invited by the church and town, was installed as the 
 first pastor. The town voted to give him a permanent sala- 
 ry of £ 70 and his firewood. Only thirteen were added to the 
 church during the ministry of Mr. Eemele, which continued 
 for nearly eight years and nine months. He was dismissed 
 Oct. 10, 1791. 
 
 After being destitute of a pastor for about four years, the 
 church made choice of one of its own nximber — Mr. Abijah 
 Wines, for the office. The society concurring, Mr. Wines was 
 ordained Jan. 5th, 1796. The provision for his support 
 included £ 70 at settlement, and a salary of £ 45, to increase 
 annually £ 1 till it reached £ 52, together with 20 cords of 
 firewood. Mr. Wines continued pastor of this church almost 
 twenty one years. During his ministry 212 were added to 
 the church. He possessed a discriminating mind, a sound 
 judgment, and was a successful preacher. He left proof of 
 his talents as a controversial writer, in an " Inquiry into the 
 nature of the Sinner's Inability to make a new heart." Mr. 
 Wines was dismissed at his own request Nov. 26, 1816. 
 
 Nearly two years later, Mr. James E. Wheelock received 
 a call to the pastorate, and having accepted, was ordained 
 Dec. 2, 1818. Though his ministry was but little more than 
 four years in duration, yet in that time 148 were added to 
 the church. He was dismissed by a mutual council Feb. 
 23, 1823. 
 
 January 28, 1824, Eev. John Woods was installed pastor 
 of the church. He had been for nine years pastor of the 
 
468 SULLIVAN COUNTY. 
 
 church in Warner. For more than a quarter of a century, 
 he broke to the church in Newport the bread of Hfe. Dur- 
 ing that time 329 were added to the church. He was dis- 
 missed Jul)' 16, 1851. And the same council ordained Mr. 
 Henry Cummings as his successor, with a salary of $ 700. 
 The whole number added to the church since the ordination 
 of the present pastor, has been 129. The whole number 
 received to membership since the organization of the church 
 is about 910. The number at present belonging to it is 249. 
 
 The most powerful revivals that this church has ever 
 experienced, were in 1810, in 1819, and in the autumn and 
 mnter of 1852-3. Kevivals of less extent but of valuable 
 results, were enjoyed in 1781, before the church had a pastor, 
 in 1798, also in 1802, in 1816 and in 1830. The church 
 indeed owes its existence and its prosperity to revivals of 
 rehgion. JSTone of the revivals which have been named were 
 the result of extra effort, but were the fruit of a faithful 
 exhibition of Divine truth by the regular ministry, accom- 
 panied by the prayers and efforts of the lay members of the 
 church, — the help of neighboring ministers being called in 
 as occasion seemed to require. 
 
 The revival of 1852-3 found the church weakened by 
 divisions which had resulted, more than two years previously, 
 in the withdrawal of considerable numbers who had assisted 
 in the formation or reviving of a Methodist society. The 
 first indications of special religious interest were manifested 
 at a season of fasting and prayer. This was held Sejjt. 18th, 
 in accordance with the recommendation of the Greneral Asso- 
 ciation to the various Congregational and Presbyterian 
 churches in the State, in view of the low condition of reh- 
 gion. For several weeks subsequent to this occasion, no unu- 
 sual feeling was apparent, save in a very few members of the 
 church. But the sudden death of two sisters in the prime 
 of life, and members of the church, occurring at this time 
 within a few days of each other, deepened the growing seri- 
 ousness of many. Near the close of October the first instan- 
 ces of conversion came to light. Thenceforward the work 
 advanced with increasing pjower. But its movements were 
 noiseless. Every day added to the number of believers. In 
 January, 53 made profession of their faith in Christ, and 
 before the close of the year the aggregate had swelled to one 
 hundred. About 25 were heads of famihes, and 60 mem- 
 bers of the Sabbath School. All ages were favored from 10 
 to 70. Nearly the whole church was revived, and some who 
 had secretly indulged a religious hope for twenty or thirty 
 years, found this refreshing as life from the dead, and were 
 
NEWPOKT. 469 
 
 able to come out boldly as the disciples of Christ. The 
 work affected the whole comniunity, and made striking exhi- 
 bition of the sovereignty of Divine grace. About as many 
 were added to each — the Baptist and Methodist churches— 
 as to the Congregational. 
 
 Whether the church made choice of any person to officiate 
 as deacon previous to the settlement of Mr. Remele, the 
 records do not show. Josiah Stevens was elected to that 
 office in 1783, and after performing well its duties for ten or 
 twelve years, he entered the ministry, and before missionary 
 societies had been formed, with a little aid from others, he 
 found a moral desolation at the Isle of Shoals, Gosport. 
 Here he labored among a people but little above abso- 
 lute heathenism, and the benevolence of his heart found full 
 scope. The inhabitants were not recognized as belonging to 
 any town or State, were wholly without any religion, and 
 without law save as they were a law unto themselves. Mr. 
 Stevens collected them on the Sabbath and taught them the 
 fear of the Lord. A Meeting-house was erected, and the 
 regular preaching of the gospel established. He also opened 
 a school on week days and gave instruction to their children. 
 He obtained a justice's commission, brought them under civil 
 regulations as a town, and it is believed, was once or twice 
 chosen to represent them in the Legislature of this State. — 
 But it pleased G-od to terminate his useful labors there, just 
 at the time when he had secured an influence that began to 
 be felt in every nook and hole' of that dark corner of the 
 earth. His body lies buried there beneath a slab erected by 
 his friends, which tells a short but truthful story of his 
 character and labors. He died about the year 1808. The 
 other deacons of this church are Jesse Wilcox, chosen in 
 1791 ; Uriah Wilcox, 1795 ; Moses Noyes, June 1819 ; 
 Josiah Stevens, 1829 ; Sylvanus Hurd and Joseph Wilcox 
 
 at the same time ; Elnathan Hurd, ; Henry Chapin and 
 
 David B. Chapin, in 1835. 
 
 The church never had any glebe lands, parsonage or funds 
 for the support of the gospel. In March, 1821, the church 
 voted that they disapprove of the practice of using ardent 
 spirit at funerals. In May, 1828, they " Eesolved, that as 
 friends of morality and religion they will in their families 
 and spheres of action use their influence by all proper and 
 laudable means to check the progress of Intemperance and 
 promote the cause of Temperance." In 1831 the church 
 adopted the principle of total abstinence in the admission of 
 members. In all these votes this church was somewhat in 
 advance of churches generally at that day. In 1827, the 
 following resolutions were unanimously adopted : 
 
470 SULLIVAN COUNTY. 
 
 " 1. Resolvexl, That we feel ourselves under covenant obli- 
 gations both as individuals and as a church of Christ, to pay- 
 special attention to our children, whom we have dedicated to 
 God in baptism ; and we do engage, that we will daily read, 
 or cause the Holy Scriptures to be read by or before them ; 
 will pray with and for them ; and will instruct, warn, exhort 
 and counsel them from time to time, as their age and cir- 
 cumstances, and our ability, opportunity and duty, may re- 
 quire. 
 
 "2. Resolved, That unless providentially prevented, we will 
 meet at least twice every year, viz. on the last Thursdays of 
 May and September, to present ourselves and our baptized 
 children before the Lord, that we may unitedly implore the 
 blessings of our covenant Grod upon them ; that they may be 
 instructed in the things of religion, and their minds be im- 
 pressed witli a proper sense of their special obligation to God 
 on account of their peculiar privileges, as the children of his 
 covenant people." 
 
 An cibservance of such seasons of prayer and conference by 
 churches, with their children, would do more to give the 
 Abrahamic covenant honor than any other means. It 
 would say to all men, we believe and therefore seek the Lord 
 for our children. Few men ever were more laborious in the 
 ministry than Mr. Woods, and while his removal was a great 
 trial, he is happy in his new field, and happy in seeing the 
 people prosperous and united in their relations with his suc- 
 cessor. 
 
 PLAINFIELD. 
 
 Rev. Jacob Scales. 
 
 The town was chartered by George III. in 1761. Of the 
 sixty eight shares into which the town was di^-ided, two were 
 for Gov. Wentworth, one for the Society for Propagating the 
 Gospel in Foreign parts — a society formed in England in 
 1701 — one for a glebe and one for the first settled minister. 
 The church of England, the Episcopal church, has the exclu- 
 sive avails of the glebe, and the share for propagating the 
 gospel. The town raised no money for hiring a preacher of 
 the gospel till 1771, or 1772. They then voted to meet at 
 Nathaniel Dean's, on the Sabbath, in Dec. 1771. They 
 chose a committee to treat with Mr. Isaac Smith, then 
 preaching in town, to settle as the minister of the place. 
 The town voted him a salary and then increased the amount 
 
PLAINFIELD. 471 
 
 and invited liim a second time to become their pastor, but 
 he declined, and was afterwards settled at Gilmanton. This 
 toicn never afterwards made so vigorous efforts for the settle- 
 ment of a minister. 
 
 In 1773, or 1774, Kev. Al)raham Carpenter, a " strict 
 Congregationalist," was settled according to the rules of the 
 denomination in Plainfield, without any action of the town. 
 In March 1779 the town voted to accept Mr. Smith Carpen- 
 ter as the minister of the town. He received the right of 
 land, consisting of 360 acres. It was probably never worth 
 $400 to him. He continued to preach in town eight or ten 
 years longer, in his own kitchen, and Id other private houses 
 in the winter ; and in the open air, or in a Meeting-house 
 having neither doors nor windows, in the summer. In 1782 
 there was more than usual attention to religion, and several 
 neighboring ministers came and assisted him. After a few 
 years, he was dismissed by Ms oivn congregation, and liecame 
 past(5r of a church in Eutland, Vt., v/here he died, and where 
 his grave is. Rev. Lemuel Haynes of West Eutland preach- 
 ed at his funeral from 1 Thess. 2 : 19 — " For what is our 
 hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing ? Are not even ye in the 
 presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming.!'" JJe was 
 considered a decided Christian, loving CtocI, and rejoicing to 
 be the servant of his peojjle in preaching the gospel and 
 teaching the youth. In a quiet and sober manner he fin- 
 ished his ministry, and went, we believe, to receive the reward 
 of one who had been "faithful in a few tilings." The light 
 of the church and of his labors were soon extinguished. For 
 twelve or fourteen years there was no stated preaching west 
 of the middle of the town. 
 
 September 20, 1804, a church of ten members was organ- 
 ized, and called the First Congregational church in West 
 Plainfield. The same day, the church voted a call to Rev. 
 Micaiah Porter to settle with them in the work of the minis- 
 try. After waiting more than nine months, Mr. Porter re- 
 turned an affirmative answer to their call ; and immediate 
 measures were adopted for his installation. The pastors and 
 churches in Hanover, Lebanon, Cornish and Merideu, united 
 in council for his installation. He was installed July 16, 
 1805. The council met at Mr. Smith's on the river, and 
 went to the Meeting-house, six or seven miles, for the instal- 
 lation. In October following, Hon. Francis Smith, a brother 
 of Rev. Isaac Smith, and Ebenezer Cole, were_ chosen dea- 
 cons ; and the church adopted the articles of faith and cove- 
 nant -recommended by the Union Consociation. In 1831, 
 the church adopted the articles of faith and covenant in use 
 
472 SULLIVAN COUNTY. 
 
 at Lebanon and some other places. Eev. Mr. Porter lived 
 in the place twenty five years, but the people depended on 
 others to preach for four or five years before his death. Dur- 
 ing his life 27 were received into the church. Only four of 
 them are now among the living members. As he was una- 
 ble to preach, Eev. Mr. Goddard preached one year, and Key. 
 Dyer Burge six months. 
 
 After his death in September, 1829, a Mr. Cook, from 
 Deering, jjreached one year, and received several into the 
 church. His appetite and his passions undermined his use- 
 fulness. His laljors in other places and seven years assign- 
 ment in a state prison may be passed witliout farther notice. 
 
 After him Rev. Jacob N. Loomis labored in the place two 
 years. His services iu the pulpit and the parish were very 
 acceptable and useful. Had he and Mrs. Loomis been per- 
 manently settled here, great good might have been expected 
 as the result. Fifteen were received to the church in ten 
 years after the death of Mr. Porter. Seven of them continue 
 in the church. 
 
 In the autumn of 1838, Eev. William Hutchinson com- 
 menced preaching in the place. He was a man of an excel- 
 lent spirit ; but his health had failed years before, while 
 teaching music. He planned many things promising useful- 
 ness, and was spared to execute some of tliem. He was in- 
 stalled May 28, 1839, and died April 24, 1842. The efforts 
 of a protracted meeting brought a number into the church. 
 He received by letter and by ])rofession twenty five. Only 
 eight of them are found with the church now. Though Mr. 
 Hutchinson did not live three years after his installation, but 
 pined away in consumption, still he was able to preach more 
 than three years after his labors commenced and he received 
 a call to settle. In the years 1839 and 1840 two Meeting- 
 houses were built. The second was built by Universalists, 
 Baptists, and Methodists, and dedicated by the company. 
 Within a year or two several of the company were organized 
 as an Episcopal society. 
 
 Eev. Jacob Scales commenced preaching here early in Oc- 
 tober, 1842. The N. H. M. S. has paid him annually $100, 
 and the minister and people have raised on an average more 
 than $50 annually for benevolent objects. Still the church, 
 society, and minister have diminished in pecuniary strength 
 from year to year. For twelve years previous to January, 
 1855, only nineteen have been received to the church. The 
 whole number of resident members is now only twenty six, 
 five of them males. Nine are non-resident. During these 
 twelve years there have been one hundred and eighteen 
 
SFKINGFIELD. SUNAPEE. UNITY. 473 
 
 funerals in the parish ; eighty three Mr. Scales attended. He 
 solemnized twenty one marriages. No one of the sons of 
 Plainfield has become a minister ; five of the daughters have 
 married ministers. Weston Bela Adams of Meriden was for 
 several years a good and successful minister, but he died in 
 the meridian of life. 
 
 SPRINGFIELD. SUNAPEE. UNITY. 
 
 Springfield. — It was granted in 1769, and its first set- 
 tlement was three years after by Israel Clifford and others. 
 Waters rising in this town run to the sea both by the Mer- 
 rimack and the Connecticut rivers. This is one of the three 
 towns in this county which have increased in population 
 during ten years. 
 
 A Congregational church was gathered here Ijefore 1820, 
 but was very feeble. Rev. Charles Boyter was installed its 
 pastor in June, 1828. Its members at this time were 17. Mr. 
 Boyter was first sent by the Missionary Society for 4 weeks. 
 He left in 1830, and the society, after expending about $400 
 in less than five years, were pained to see the church left 
 alone. Ten members were here in 1836. No record of any 
 church appears in the Minutes of the Methodist, Baptist, or 
 Freewill order of Christians in this town. Would not an 
 effort of our Missionary Society be suitable if it should re- 
 sult only in securing — what is a most common effect of our 
 attempting to build any of the old wastes — the waking up 
 of the brethren of other names to neiuness of life ? A popu- 
 lation of 1270 ought not to be willing to live without the 
 gospel. 
 
 SuNAPEE. — Formerly Wendell; settlements commenced 
 here in 1772. The people were from Rhode Island most 
 of them. The first minister was Rev. N. Woodward, a Bap- 
 tist. The people were not strongly fixed in the love of re- 
 ligious institutions. A small Congregational societ)' was in- 
 corporated June 24, 1819. The population at this time did 
 not exceed 600. A church was also gathered of twelve 
 members, by Rev. WilHam Gould. Not long after, Rev. J. 
 Hovey labored among them, and a sweet outpouring of the 
 Holy Spirit was granted, bringing fifteen persons into the 
 fold of truth. In 1829 there were 14 members in the church. 
 A church of Freewill Baptists here, numbers 23 ; Methodist, 
 22, and 16 on probation. Population 787. 
 31 
 
474 SULLIVAN COUNTY. 
 
 Unity. — It took its name from the happy termination of 
 a long controversy between certain men in Kingston and 
 Hampstead who claimed the same tract of land under diffe- 
 rent grants. John Ladd and Moses Thurston were its first 
 settlers in 1769. 
 
 It has never had a settled minister, and the town has ap- 
 propriated the land reserved for such minister, to the sup- 
 l)ort of schools. Ojjposition has Leon manifested to the set- 
 tlement of ministers there, for fear of the consequences in 
 this regard. But this was " fear where no fear was." Kev. 
 Abel Manning was here in 1829 and 1830, and some reUg- 
 ious interest existed ; Eev. Charles Brown one year ; Kev. 
 Mr. White in 1833 ; Rev. S. Arnold in 1841, and 6 were 
 added to the church, which then numbered 12 members. In 
 1831 it had 19. A year or two since an aged deacon of the 
 church went to the house of the i^astor of a neighboring 
 church and handed him $5, saying, "send that where you 
 think it may do good. If we cannot have gospel privileges 
 in Unity, I want to help those that can have them." The 
 Baptist church here numbers 38 ; Methodist, about 50, and 
 they have a neat, new Meeting-house. When will the times 
 of refreshing come from the presence of the Lord for these 
 wastes of Zion ? 
 
 WASHINGTON. 
 
 Rev. J. F. Grtswold. 
 
 The first settlement of this town was in 1768. It was 
 first called Monadnock, No. 8. At the time of its first set- 
 tlement, it was called Camden. It had this name till Dec. 
 13, 1776, when it was incorporated with its present name. 
 Its first settlers were mostly from the State of Massachu- 
 setts. They had each 150 acres of land for settling. They 
 were men of industrious habits, accustomed to toil and hard- 
 ships, that would noiv be regarded as intolerable. Great 
 serf-denial and strict economy were practiced by them. 
 
 The original records of the church in this place for about 
 twenty years were lost. But there are circumstances which 
 show that it was organized on the 9th of May 1789, and 
 that the two first deacons chosen were Ebenezer Jaquith 
 and John Farwell. What was the number of church mem- 
 bers at this time, is not known. Kev. George Leshe was 
 the first minister of the church in this place. He was 
 brought from Ireland to this coimtry, when but 18 months 
 
WASHINGTON. 475 
 
 old. His installation was in the year 1780, when he was 
 53 years of age. The services were performed in a barn of a 
 Mr. John Safford. Mr. Leslie received his education at 
 Cambridge college in Massachusetts, and was first settled in 
 Linebrook, now Ipswich, of that State, when at the age of 
 21. He remained connected with the church there thirty 
 years. He received his call to settle in Washington in 1780. 
 One hundred acres of land were appropriated to the first 
 settled minister of the town, and this was an inducement 
 for liim to accej)t of the call. His salary was 100 acres of 
 land and £50 sterling. He was a man of correct senti- 
 ments, a good scholar and of studious habits. He was con- 
 scientious, of strict integrity, and had the confidence of the 
 people. Soon after he received his call to settle here, he 
 was invited to accept a professorship in Dartmouth college. 
 He declined the invitation on account of the encouragement 
 he had given the people in Washington to settle with them. 
 He left Linebrook with his family for this ]ilace, on the 6th 
 of March. At that time there was no public road through 
 this place, and intelligence from abroad was only occasion- 
 ally received. It was only once in two or three months that 
 news was received from Boston. Mr. Leslie was nine days 
 on the road in coming from Linebrook to Washington — a 
 distance of 80 miles. 
 
 His privations, during his first years here, were great. — 
 Provisions, in many instances, could not be obtained with- 
 out going 30 or 40 miles for them. Tlie first winter he 
 spent here, was unusually long. On the 19th of October, 
 snow fell to the depth of two feet and remained till late in 
 the spring. Twenty seven head of cattle died that spring 
 from starvation. Mr. Leslie lost his only cow. A day of 
 fasting and prayer was observed on account of the sad pros- 
 pects of the people. During one whole winter Mr. LesKe's 
 family were without salt, and for one bushel in the spring 
 he paid $5. The people in Washington, in 1785, made 
 their first move for building a Meeting-house. The timber 
 was got out in the fall of 1786. It was finished in 1789. — 
 The town at the time of its completion, raised £ 80 for the 
 object. In view of the destitute circumstances of the peo- 
 ple, the undertaldng was regarded as a formidable one. 
 
 In the early history of the town, laudable efibrts were 
 made by the people to attend meeting on the Sabbath. — 
 They rode to church on ox-sleds in the winter, and in the 
 summer there were instances in which two or three were 
 carried on the back of one horse. Death closed Mr. Leslie's 
 ministry here in 1800, when he was 73 years of age. About 
 
476 SULLIVAN COUNTY. 
 
 this time, other denominations began to hold meetings liere. 
 At the present time there are Universalist, Baptist and 
 Christian societies in town. Kev. John Stoddard was the 
 first minister that supplied the pulpit after Mr. Leslie's 
 death. There was no eifort made to settle him. He was 
 succeeded by Eev. Daniel Wesson. He did not give satis- 
 faction on account of his Arminianism. The next was the 
 late Isaac Robinson, D.D., who did not unite the people on 
 account of his extreme orthodoxy. In 1803, Eev. Jolm 
 Lord was settled here as pastor of the church, but his min- 
 istry continued only two years and six months. 
 
 Rev. Caleb Burge, the author of a work on the Atonement, 
 preached one year after Mr. Lord's dismission. He was 
 invited to settle, but the salary offered was not sufficient. — 
 After him, Christopher Page was employed awhile. The 
 next after him was the celebrated Indian missionary, Cyrus 
 Kingsbury. He gave good satisfaction, but was unwilling 
 to settle. 
 
 Oct. 22, 1818, Rev. Broughton White was settled as pas- 
 tor over the church. There had been no settled minister of 
 the Congregational order for twelve years. His ministry 
 continued twelve years. There has been no settled minister 
 since, but the church has generally enjoyed the preaching of 
 the Word by stated supplies. Four young men from this 
 place have been educated for the ministry ; one of whom, a 
 Mr. Safford, preached the first sermon that was delivered 
 to seamen in this country. The Rev. J. F. Griswold came 
 to this place July 1, 1844. 
 
 Revivals of religion have been occasionally enjoyed. We 
 have the following account of a revival enjoyed in the year 
 1818, in which there were 60 or 70 hopeful conversions. — 
 "Forty six, out of fifty six, received the baptismal seal of 
 the covenant in infancy. Of this number forty seven united 
 with the Congregational church." There has been no revi- 
 val since, of so much power. The Congregational church at 
 present is small — 40 members only. It contributes monthly 
 for some object of benevolence, although the sum is small. — 
 A weekly prayer meeting is sustained. This church needs 
 aid from above. 
 
Mlim^ CMtitg. 
 
 ALTON. 
 
 Rev. F. Davis. 
 
 Alton was incoi-porated June 15, 1796. Previous to that 
 time it was connected with New Durham and called New 
 Durham Gore. The gospel was preached occasionally, before 
 the act of incorporation, to the few settlers who had built 
 their log cabins by the clear waters of the lake, the gently 
 flowing stream, or the rapid and noisy brook ; or perchance 
 on the sandy and sunny plains, or upon the side or top of 
 our granite hills. 
 
 Congregationalism has never taken deep root hei-e, and 
 yet it woiild seem that its seeds were early sown. At the 
 first town meeting after the town was incorporated, a vote 
 was passed to build an Orthodox Congregational Meeting- 
 house. The frame was raised in the fall of 1797. The house 
 was never but partially finished. Meetings were, however, 
 held in it more or less until about the year 1840, when it 
 was transformed into a town house. 
 
 In 1798 the inhabitants voted to raise f 166 for the sup- 
 port of the gospel ministry among them. About this time 
 Rev. Mr. Whipple was employed to preach and labor in the 
 gospel, and continued with this people two years. Whether 
 the $ 166 voted for gospel purposes afforded a competent 
 support for the two years, the records of the town do not 
 show. There is no record of any other appropriation by the 
 inhabitants from that time to the present. Nor was there 
 any Congregational preaching in this place except by tran- 
 sient ministers, from the year 1800 to the year 1827. At 
 that time the Eev. James Gooch preached here with con- 
 siderable success, and on the 7th day of Nov. 1827, a Con- 
 gregational church was formed consisting of eight members. 
 Its present number is eleven. The whole number connected 
 with it since its organization, is twenty nine. The church has 
 never had a settled pastor nor constant preaching until Oct. 
 1854. There have been two other denominations in town, 
 Methodist and FreewiU Baptist. In connection with these 
 
478 BELKNAP COUNTY. 
 
 societies preaching has been maintained irregularly. In the 
 south part of the town a Meeting-house was built for the 
 accommodation of the Methodist society, where they wor- 
 sliiped for quite a number of years, when their minister 
 embraced the views of Second Adventists, and a large num- 
 ber of his people followed his example. 
 
 There are two societies of the Freewill Baptist denomina- 
 tion, one at Gilman's Corner in the east part of the town, 
 and the other in this village, or, as it is generally called, Al- 
 ton Corner. Both these churches have good ministers, and 
 maintain the gospel ordinances according to the faith and 
 rules of that denomination, but, unlike the founder of this 
 denomination, (Elder Benj. Eandall, of New Durham,) they 
 receive without any scruples of conscience a stated salary for 
 their ministerial services. One of the early ministers of that 
 denomination who had preached much against receiving 
 money for preaching, but who always carried his saddle bags 
 with him to his appointments and whenever he visited 
 through the week, was at one time nearly starA^ed out, when 
 he had an invitation to go to another town with the offer of 
 some three or four hundred dollars salary — quite a large sti- 
 pend for the times. He of course accepted the offer, not- 
 withstanding he had preached so much against this very 
 thing. Another preacher, who was accustomed to i^reach 
 much in the same strain, was expecting to visit at the house 
 of a lady who belonged to his flock. The husband, coming 
 into the liouse before the arrival of the minister, discovered 
 quite an array of butter and cheese and such like articles 
 upon the table, and inquired for what purpose they were 
 there. The good wife replied that they were to be given to 
 the minister. "What ]" says the husband, " to pay him for 
 preaching.^" " no, you know he says he never takes pay 
 for preaching." "Well, then, why pay him anything.'' Now 
 I believe," he continued, "in the Scripture doctrine that 
 ' the laborer is worthy of his hire,' and that ' they which 
 preach the gospel should live of the gospel,' but I have no 
 kind of sympathy with double dealing, not even in a minis- 
 ter. If he will confess that he receives your tub of butter 
 and your cheese as pay for ministerial services I am willing 
 you should give them, but I have no patience with a man 
 who raises such an outciy in his preaching against a paid 
 ministry, denovmcing them as ' hirelings,' who will at the 
 same time come to my house with long arms, and large sad- 
 dle bags to carry away all we may be induced to give him in 
 consideration of his ministerial labors, and then go away and 
 say he receives no pay for preaching. I do not wish you to 
 
ALTON. . 479 
 
 give him anything unless he will own up." The sentiment 
 that a minister must receive no regular stipend has been 
 very generally entertained in this region. The consequence 
 has been that the ministry has been reduced to a set of men- 
 dicants, and a blight has fastened on the fair fruits of the 
 gospel. With such obstacles as these the ministry of the 
 present day in this place have to contend. 
 
 As a specimen of the prejudice that existed on the part 
 of the preachers of that denomination forty years ago toward 
 those of our own, we give in substance an anecdote related 
 of himself by one of the early preachers who is now liv- 
 ing here at nearly the age of fourscore years : " On one of 
 my preaching tours I fell in with a man with whose appear- 
 ance and conversation I was much pleased. We talked of 
 Jesus and salvation and heaven, and he seemed to enter into 
 the spirit of our theme as none but a Christian could. You 
 are a preacher ? said I. ' I am,' was the reply. May I ask, 
 if you are a Freewill Baptist preacher.^ — for then I thought 
 about all the goodness and all the piety to be found in the 
 world was with my own denomination. ' I am a Congrega- 
 tional preacher,' he replied. I was astonished ! My coun- 
 tenance feU. And it seemed to me that his fell also as he 
 learned that I was a preacher of the Freewill Baptist order. 
 Our pleasant conversation immediately turned. Our hearts, 
 that but just before seemed knit together in love like the 
 hearts of David and Jonathan, now seemed to withhold their 
 affection and to recede from each other. We continued our 
 conversation, but it was about the decrees and sovereignty 
 of God, election, baptism and free salvation, and we at 
 lengtli separated with great coolness. How unwise he was ! 
 said I. And how unwise I was also!" 
 
 Revivals of religion in this town have been like "angel 
 visits, few and far between." There was however a revival 
 in 1835, perhaps more general in its influence than any other 
 that has here prevailed. There have been other revivals 
 more limited in their extent. But on the whole these sea- 
 sons have been few, and few have been the fruits of them. 
 When we consider the character of the early ministers and 
 their preaching, we should hardly look for much sacrifice on 
 the part of the people in endeavors to support the gospel. 
 The inhabitants of this town, and so may it be said of oth- 
 ers, have even spent more for rum and tobacco many times 
 over than for the support of the gospel. About fifteen years 
 ago when the first Meeting-house was converted into a town 
 house, a Union house was put up in which the people met 
 to worship their common Father. Among Freewill Baptist 
 
480 
 
 BELKNAP COUNTY. 
 
 ministers who labored here were Elders Hezekiah Bnzzel, 
 Page, Pinklam, Hurlin and Ezekiel Tnre. Among the Con- 
 gregational ministers, were Pvev. Messrs. Enoch Whipple, 
 Ira M. Weed, John Spaulding, James Grooch, Mr. Kich. — 
 The professors and students in Grilmanton theological semi- 
 nary have occasionally preached in this town ; and during 
 the summer of 1854 quite a number of the graduating class 
 of Andover theological seminary preached here. Rev. John 
 Spaulding came to this place directly from the seminary in 
 1830. He preached in the first Meeting-house. That house 
 was never finished, and in relation to it the language of the 
 Psalmist was strictly applicable — " Yea, the sparrow hath 
 found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she 
 may lay her young, even thine altars, Lord of hosts, my 
 King, and my God." As he closed his forenoon sermon, the 
 doctor of the place went to him and wished him to preach 
 in the afternoon without notes ; it would jjlease the people 
 better. He replied he was not accustomed to speak without 
 notes, and that he feared to attempt it then for the first time. 
 "Nevermind that" says the doctor, "only keep the mill 
 grinding it is not so much matter what you grind out." He 
 took the doctor's advice, but amid the twittering of the 
 swallows, and the tittering of the children consequent, the 
 attention of the audience was much diverted and the mill 
 with difliculty continued its grinding. But the best of the 
 story is, one of Mr. Spaulding's hearers was converted under 
 his preaching at this time, a fact of which he himself was 
 ignorant until more than twenty years afterwards, when the 
 individual met him at one of his meetings in a distant land 
 and made known the fact. Eev. Mr. Eich used to distribute 
 Bibles and preach as he occasionally visited this town. On 
 one visit he gave a Bible to a man who was intemperate. 
 He soon sold it for rum. The next time he came he learned 
 about the matter and went immediately to the rumseller 
 and demanded the Bible and carried it away and bestowed 
 it where there was a prospect of its doing more good. 
 
 Early in the spring of 1853, the portion of the people 
 that were disposed to favor Congregational views, deter- 
 mined to build a Meeting-house. The new house was dedi- 
 cated in March the following year. The other portion of the 
 people, who favored Freewill Baptist views, at once moved 
 to build another Meeting-house, and so the Union house was 
 forsaken, and two beautiful houses of worship at once appear- 
 ed with lofty spires pointing heavenward, the ornament of 
 the village. These houses cost about $ 3,500 each. But not 
 satisfied with this improvement, the inhabitants of the 
 
BABNSTEAD. 481 
 
 village next moved to build a new school house. This was 
 accomplished the same year at a cost of little more than 
 $3000. Eev. Franklin Davis has been preacliing in this 
 place since October 1854. The new house of worship is 
 beautiful, but the members of tire church arc few, and few 
 " come to tlie solemn feasts." Truly " the ways of Zion do 
 mourn." for better times when these houses shall be 
 crowded with sincere worshipers. From tliis town have 
 sprung three ministers — all of the FreewiU Baptist order. 
 
 The early settlers of this town were more constant attend- 
 ants on the means of grace in the sanctuary than the people 
 of the present time. In those days they shut uj) their 
 houses on the Sabbath, and, taking with them all the chil- 
 dren, they would go from five to ten miles to meeting, and 
 this often on foot. But those days are past. 
 
 BAENSTEAD. 
 
 Rev. Ekos George — Paslor 52 years. 
 
 This town is pleasantly situated, surrounded by high hills 
 and mountains in the adjoining towns, having no mountain 
 within its own limits. It was granted to Kev. Joseph 
 Adams and others. May 20, 1727. There are four houses 
 of public worship, three occujjied by the Congregationalists, 
 and one by the Freewill Baptists. The settlement commen- 
 ced about 1767. The first town meeting was called by war- 
 rant issued by Solomon Emerson of Madbury, one of His 
 Majesty's Justices of the Peace, and held on the 29th of 
 March 1774. John Tasker, the first representative in Gen- 
 eral Court was elected March 29, 1791. 
 
 In the summer of 1803, Enos G-eorge, a native of South- 
 ampton, born June 2, 1781, was employed as a school teach- 
 er, and also to supply the pulpit. Soon a moral change was 
 apparent, especially as it regarded the Sabbath. The desir- 
 ableness and importance of the settled ministry began to be 
 felt. In November a town meeting was called and a com- 
 mittee was chosen to extend an invitation to Mr. George, 
 to settle as a Congregational minister in the town. As 
 there was no church, he thought it advisable to wait for 
 some indications from Heaven that would encourage him.— 
 In the spring of 1804, some mercy drops fell. Three young 
 ladies professed to entertain hope of having passed from 
 death unto life— one of whom still lives. Five others were 
 revived. These eight were organized into a Congregational 
 
482 BELKNAP COUNTY. 
 
 church on the 23d of July 1804, by Rev. Isaac Smith, pas- 
 tor of the Congregational church in Gilmanton. The invi- 
 tation given Mr. G-eorge by the town committee was renew- 
 ed by the church, and answered in the affirmative. Sept. 
 26, 1804 he was ordained. A few individuals found their 
 way to the church before the close of 1809, when a time of 
 refreshing from the presence of the Lord commenced. By 
 this revival the church was increased in number, 34. There 
 followed an alarming declension — the love of many waxed 
 cold. The political affairs of the nation wore a fearful 
 aspect. Depredations were made upon its commercial 
 interests, by the belligerent powers of Europe. At length 
 war against Great Britain and her dependencies, was declar- 
 ed on'the 18th of June 1812. However just the declaration 
 there were many disaffected, and an interchange of thoughts 
 by words was far from Ijeing profitable. This state of things 
 had a counteracting influence to the progress of the cause 
 of Christ. But God remembered mercy in the midst of 
 merited wrath. Toward the closing of the year 1814, a 
 blessed work began and continued during the greater part 
 of the following year, and 32 were the subjects of reviving 
 grace, and were received into fellowship by the church. In 
 the summer of 1818 a glorious work began, distinguished 
 for the manifest power of the Spirit of grace. Sinners of all 
 grades and ages, fathers and mothers, children, brothers and 
 sisters were tremblingly inquiring " What shall we do to be 
 saved ? Whither shall we flee from the wrath to come .? — 
 Where is the Savior of lost men — the Savior of perishing 
 sinners ? " It appeared that the eternal love and mercy of 
 God through Jesus Christ, forbade that they should be left 
 long in such a state of deep solicitude and painful anxiety. 
 Shortly 37 were made to sing a new song — to sing as did 
 the ancient bride, 
 
 " The voice of my Beloved sound5, 
 Over the rocks and rising grounds ; 
 O'er hills of puilt, and seas of griel', 
 He leaps, he flies— to my relief." 
 
 During the succeeding fall and winter the influences of the 
 Holy Spirit of grace seemed to be withdrawn, and the work 
 to have ceased. But in the spring of 1819 when the earth 
 was loosed from her icy fetters, and the natural sun had 
 smilingly returned to warm her bosom, the glorious sun of 
 righteousness returned with abundant healing in his beams. 
 The revival tlris season somewhat exceeded that of the last, 
 both in extent and number — resulting in 41 hopefully 
 renewed in the spirit of their minds. These, with those of 
 the previous year made an accession to the church of 78. 
 
BARNSTEAD. 483 
 
 Subsec[ueiit to the foregoing outpourings of the Holy 
 Spirit a season of darkness was experienced — darkness tliat 
 was felt, — inic[uity abounded — Zion mourned. The Word 
 was constantly preached, but, not being mixed with faith in 
 them that heard it, profited but a few. The breath of sin 
 was withering as the northern blast to the tender plant. — 
 Yet, notwithstanding the prevalence of the vices of the day 
 for about twelve years, God would not that his church 
 should utterly despair. He manifested himself to be a God 
 of lovingkindness and tender mercies. Here and there a 
 blossom of grace appeared. Twelve were gathered into the 
 church. It is a thought very serious, that so many years 
 should pass in such quick succession — rolling and melting 
 away ; losing themselves in eternity, and all the while death 
 reigning with a mighty hand, more so than at any former 
 period of equal length ; and Christ also set f ;>rth evidently 
 crucified and slain before the people, — and yet that so few 
 should lay these things to heart. But it shows the benumb- 
 ing, stupefying influence of sin. However, the set time to 
 favor Zion was approacliing. Christians found the angel of 
 the covenant to be at hand, with whom to wrestle for a 
 blessing. The prayer of faith prevailed — the Lord vouch- 
 safed his smiles — the presence of the Holy Spirit graced 
 the meetings of the church. And, in connection witli a pro- 
 tracted meeting which commenced in November 1831, the 
 mighty shadows in which the church had been so long envel- 
 oped began to flee away. It was a time of power. There 
 "stood up" 37 into whom the "0 breath" had entered, 
 giving them life. They were received to the fellowship of 
 the church. The following year, 1832, many were quicken- 
 ed who had long been dead in trespasses and sin. One 
 instance occurred worthy of record : Mr, John Pitman, sen- 
 ior, was baptized by the pastor upon the stepping-stone of 
 his door, in the presence of a multitude who stood as wit- 
 nesses astonished, on the 6th of May, the day he was 100 
 years old. He, and his wife aged 90, by the approval of the 
 church, were received as members at the same time. He 
 died Feb. 29, 1834, aged 101 years, 9 months and 21 days. 
 In 1834 an arrangement was made by the members of the 
 Deerfield Association for holding protracted meetings for 
 two or three days in a week in succes.sion, week after week, 
 in each church within its limits. These were held, and 
 well sustained by the ministers of the Association. Heaven 
 approved the plan. The churches were quickened and rous- 
 ed to action. The church in Barnstead acknowledged with 
 gratitude an accession of 28 members, as the result of this 
 
484 BELKNAP COUNTY. 
 
 effort. Individuals followed their example, till the summer 
 of 1838, when the windows of Heaven were widely opened 
 and the eifusions of the Holy Spirit richly enjoyed. Many 
 trembled at the foot of Sinai, and fleeing to Calvary on 
 which stood the cross, stained with blood, they there found 
 refuge ; found God to be a present help in time of trouble. 
 A series of meetings were held, day after day and evening 
 after evening for more than a week. Neighboring ministers 
 came in, and professors Kood and Warner with members of 
 the theological seminary at Gilmanton, with liearts full of 
 sympathy, contributed much to the progress of the blessed 
 work. Their pungent discourses and warm exliortations 
 deepened religious impressions ; and their fervent, effectual 
 prayers availed much. The lay brethren cast themselves 
 between perishing souls and utter ruin ; that, if jiossible, by 
 entreaties, tears and strong cries, with the help of the Lord, 
 they might save the sinners from that state hereafter, where 
 mercy's voice can never be heard. The converts, with an 
 earnestness peculiar to their state of feeling, openly told 
 what God had done for their souls ; having just risen from 
 the dead (dead in sin) — being quickened into life, by the 
 spirit of God ; their invitations to come and yield the heart 
 to Christ were tlrrilllng ; and had a melting, overcoming and 
 joyful effect. The glory of God filled the house, and it was 
 good to be there — it was good to be there. To witness the 
 way of the Spirit, wliich is peculiar to himself in drawing 
 such a multitude together at an early hour, from day to day, 
 as to fill the house of God to its utmost capacity — to see 
 them chained in their position, with fixed attention — listen- 
 ing with intense interest to the gracious words of the Savior, 
 crying, individually "Lord save or I perish;" led to an 
 exclamation with the Apostle " the depth of the riches 
 both of the wisdom and knowledge of God ! how unsearcha- 
 ble are his judgments, and his ways past finding out !" We 
 may suppose, that angels looked down with holy wonder 
 and admiration at what they saw their God could do. As 
 the fruit of this revival, 73 appilied for admission to the 
 church, and were received as traveling companions to the 
 "celestial city." 
 
 ' Again, a visitation of the Lord was realized in 1842 and 
 '43, which brought 50 into the Christian ranks, as soldiers 
 of the cross. Since that time a few have reposed their con- 
 fidence in the Savior, and professed his name before men ; 
 notwithstanding the many and strong adverse influences 
 which surrounded them. For some years last past worldly- 
 mindedness has controled action, and produced spiritual 
 
BARN STEAD. 485 
 
 apathy, still, some are disposed to pray with David, "0 
 God, cast us not away from thy presence — take not thy 
 Holy Spirit from ns." 
 
 On reviewing the past — considering the youthful and fee- 
 ble instrument of first gathering and organizing a Congre- 
 gational church in town — the number of powerful revivals 
 wdiich have occurred, wdien God was as a wall of fire round 
 about the church, and the glory in her midst ; and consider- 
 ing, that he, who was ordained the first pastor, still lives, to 
 discharge the duties of the pastoral oflice, after an elapse of 
 over 52 years from his first preaching in town, and over 51 
 years of his pastorate ; all must exclaim, "What hath God 
 wrought!" Where they were "not a people," there they 
 are called the people of God ; and when they " had not ob- 
 tained mercy," they " now have obtained mercy." 
 
 The Freewill Baptists are found here, and are the only 
 other religious order. Many of the converts in the forego- 
 ing revivals united wdth them. Elder Benjamin Eandall 
 of New Durham was the first to estaVjlish tliis order, and 
 Elder David Knowlton the first minister here who died 
 1804. His successors — Elders Nathaniel Wilson — Alvah 
 Buzzell — James Morrell, have all passed in quick succession. 
 Elder David Garland, a native resident, only remains, with 
 whom for many years gospel peace and Christian harmony 
 have been maintained. And interchanges of kind offices 
 have mutually been made. The numl)er of their church 
 members is 139. A good degree of endeavor after the uni- 
 ty of the Spirit in the bonds of peace, has manifestly pre- 
 vailed. The pastor is not aware, after half a century of 
 labor, of an individual family, on whom he might call, but 
 that, with a welcome and with expressions of sincere regard, 
 he would be received. The nominal number of the church 
 from its organization, 1804, to the present time, has been 
 395. One hundred and forty one have died ; 104G immor- 
 tal spirits have gone the outlet of earth to the spirit world, 
 within the limits of the town, during the last fifty two 
 years. Of this number, 18 were by casualties, and six by 
 suicide — hemp — and steel. The pastor has toiled and labor- 
 ed, till he has preached 6748 times ; married 563 couple ; 
 officiated at nearly 800 funerals in the town, and over 200 
 in the neighboring towns, and held the office of town clerk 
 for forty years in succession. The mother of Joseph Bun- 
 ker, of wide spread fame during the French and Indian war, 
 an hundred years ago, lived and died in this town 1816, 
 aged 105 years, 8 months and 23 days. Five young men 
 have graduated at Dartmouth, and four have received the 
 
486 BELKNAP COUNTY. 
 
 degree of M.D. The temperance cause prospers. A deep 
 interest is felt in the support of sixteen district schools. — 
 Sahhatli Schools are sustained in different parts of the town, 
 during the summer months, and have access to a library of 
 over one thousand volumes, which is divided to three parts 
 of tlie town, and exchanged once a quarter. 
 
 CENTEE HARBOB.* 
 
 Almon Benson. 
 
 Centre Harbor was originally a part of New Hampton. — 
 It became a separate town by an act of the Legislature, 
 Dec. 2, 1797. The intention of the petitioners was to have 
 had it called Senter Harbor, in honor of the Senter family 
 who were the first permanent settlers in the town. But by 
 a mistake of the clerk of the court, it was recorded Centre 
 Harbor. It began to be settled in 1765. 
 
 Congregationalism has been confined chiefly to the easter- 
 ly part of the town. The first settlers were mostly Congre- 
 gational families from Chester, Hampton, Raymond, Can- 
 dia and Londonderry, N. H. ; and Ipswich and Halifax, Ms. 
 These families had religious sympathies which united them. 
 But being too poor to sustain the stated means of grace, for 
 several years they attended on the ministrations of Rev. 
 Jeremiah Shaw in Moultonborough. They were obliged to 
 travel either on foot or on horseback a distance of eight to 
 ten miles each way. Yet they were punctual in their 
 attendance. One of their number, when he was past his 
 four score years, said he coidd recollect only one or two 
 instances in which he had been absent from the house of 
 Grod on the Sabbath, in conseciuence of stormy weather, or 
 bad traveling. Where is this spirit now manifested on 
 stormy Sabl^aths ? In the mean time they enjoyed occa- 
 sionally the labors of missionaries, who came among them. 
 These missions were generally short, but they were highly 
 prized, and the labors performed were useful in bringing 
 souls to Christ. 
 
 The other part of the town was settled by Calvinistic and 
 Freewill Baptists, Methodists, and others whose religious 
 preferences were not well defined, and continues much the 
 same to this day. The religious element is cluefly FreewiU 
 Baptist. 
 
 As time advanced, the population increased. In 1812 a 
 house of worship was erected by the people in this, the east- 
 
CENTKE HARBOR. 487 
 
 erly part of the town. This liouse was built neither by the 
 toion, nor by a church or society, but by such individuals as 
 volunteered in the enterprise. It was a free-will ofi'ering, 
 and owned as private property. This house was located 
 about a mile west of Centre Harbor village on the road lead- 
 ing from this place to Plymouth. It was about 35 by 40 
 feet, one story high, the roof coming to a point in the center, 
 and descending to the four sides, with a portico in front. — 
 This house was very humble in appearance compared with 
 churches of more modern date. Yet it answered well the 
 purpose for which it was made. It has recently been taken 
 down, and its materials appropriated to other uses. About 
 the time that this house was built, one for the same purpose 
 was erected in Meredith Third Division, and as the popula- 
 tion was still sparse, the good people of Centre Harbor and 
 Meredith Third Di\-ision united for the purpose of maintain- 
 ing religious worship, and agreed to hold their meetings 
 alternately on every other Sabljath at each of these houses. 
 When the house in Centre Harbor was not occupied by the 
 Congregationalists, other evangelical denominations were al- 
 lowed the use of it, and held meetings here occasionally. It 
 is estimated that the attendance on public worship then was 
 one third more in proportion to the population, than it is at 
 the present time. Under the arrangement noticed above, in 
 those days, when neighbors were as brothers, the people long 
 continued together in unity, and, usually, prosperity attend- 
 ed them. 
 
 The year 1815 opened a new era in the histoiy of this peo- 
 ple, inasmuch as it was the commencement of the church in 
 its organized form. Rev. Messrs. Shaw, Hidden, Hebard, 
 Turner, Field, and Warren who was laboring here, were 
 on the council called to form the church, Feb. 20, 1815. It 
 consisted of 13 members. Two lived in Moultonl^orough, 
 two in Meredith Third Division, and nine in Centre Harbor. 
 These all have died, we trust, ' in faith.' Their remembrance 
 is blessed, and their glory remains after them. For an ac- 
 count of this church to its separation from Meredith, see ar- 
 ticle, Meredith Village. In 1832, Meredith Village began to 
 increase rapidly, and showed signs of becoming an important 
 location, and additions to the church had been mostly from 
 Meredith. Hence we find on record the following arrange- 
 ment. "Jan. 10, 1833. Voted that meetings on the Sab- 
 bath be holden hereafter in Meredith Village one half the 
 time, in Meredith Old Meeting-house one fourth of the time, 
 and in Centre Harbor the other fourth." A Meeting-house 
 was at length erected at Meredith Village, and the meetings 
 
488 BELKNAP COUNTY. 
 
 on the Sabbath were wholly removed to that place. Conse- 
 quently, Centre Harbor was left destitute of the means of 
 grace. The few pious souls remaining here mourned as they 
 saw the sanctuary deserted, infidelity and ungodliness in- 
 creasing among them ; and yet there was no hope of having 
 the former order of things restored. In the absence of the 
 means of grace, intemperance, ^^''ofaneness and Sabbath 
 breaking became prevalent. A gentleman visiting here in 
 1826, said he had to go out of town to find Sabbath day, 
 (meaning as we suppose public worship.) Even in this state 
 of degeneracy, Centre Harbor, possessing great attractions on 
 account of the beauty of its natural scenery and the healthi- 
 ness of its atmosphere, was fi^st becoming a place of resort 
 for travellers and tourists to the White Mountains, and a 
 place of rest to business men, from the oppressive heat and 
 the exhausting duties of city life. The population in this 
 vicinity, comprising one hundred families, was not reached to 
 much effect by the means of grace from any other point. In 
 this state of things, the Lord stirred up the minds of a few 
 men to build him an house, with a view to have a new church 
 and society organized which should be identified with the vil- 
 lage in the easterly part of the town, upon the shore of the 
 lake. Some half a dozen men, only one or two of them pro- 
 fessedly pious, and all comparatively poor, pledged them- 
 selves to each other that they would carry forward this en- 
 terprise. Accordingly in the summer of 1837 a neat and 
 commodious house was built, at an expense of about seven- 
 teen hundred dollars ; to defray which they paid what they 
 could, begcjed some, and borrowed some, and so fulfilled their 
 contract. 
 
 In the winter following they dedicated their house, and 
 employed Mr. Robert W. Fuller, a member of Grilmanton 
 theological seminary, to preach to them three months. On 
 the 9th of May, 1838, an ecclesiastical council convened at 
 the Meeting-house, for the purpose of organizing, if thought 
 proper, a Congregational church. The members of this coun- 
 cil were from Moultonborough, Sandwich, Plymouth, Mere- 
 dith Village, and Meredith Bridge. After prayer and delib- 
 eration, the council decided to proceed to organize a church. 
 Accordingly, May 10, at 2 o'clock, P. M., the council pro- 
 ceeded to the organization of the church proposed, and to 
 perform the public exercises connected with it. This church 
 consisted of eleven members, four males and seven females. 
 Ten had letters from the church in Meredith, and one from 
 the church in Brighton, Ms. Soon after the formation of 
 this church, Eev. Samuel H. Merrill was employed about a 
 
CENTRE HARBOR. 489 
 
 year and a half as stated supply. After him Mr. Jabez T. 
 Howard, graduate of Gilmanton theological seminary, sup- 
 plied them a few weeks as candidate for settlement. 
 
 October 1, 1840, the present pastor commenced his labors 
 among this people. He came here not to seek a settlement, 
 but to supply a Sabbath or two for Mr. Howard. At the 
 close of the second Sabbath the church and society unani- 
 mously agreed to give him a call to settle with them ; which 
 call was subsequently extended and accepted. He was ordain- 
 ed Dec. 23, 1840, with the promise of a salary of $ 350, and his 
 firewood. The sum received has averaged about two hun- 
 dred and fifty dollars annually, exclusive of fuel. One hun- 
 dred dollars of this sum is paid by the N. H. M. Society. In 
 \'iew of the past he would say that by the favors of a kind 
 Providence, and by the kindness and forbearance of this peo- 
 ple, he continues with them unto this day — "Witnessing 
 both to small and great, repentance toward God, and faith 
 toward our Lord Jesus Christ." 
 
 This church, though small at the commencement, has en- 
 joyed the smiles of her living Head. It has not been rent 
 asunder by heresies, nor perverted by popular delusions. — 
 The dews of divine grace have here distilled, and showers 
 occasionally have descended. In the last fifteen years, two 
 protracted meetings have been holden, one in 1841, the other 
 in 1843. The first resulted in httle good. The other was 
 demanded by the state of feeling existing among the peoj^le. 
 They were drawn together by an impulse which seemed ir- 
 resistible. God was verily in the midst, gathering in his 
 chosen. At the close of that revival only three children of 
 this church over twelve years of age were left without hope 
 in Christ. Since then there has been no general revival, yet 
 additions have been made to the church nearly every year 
 since its formation. From 1838 to 1853, there have been 
 added 19 by letter, and 37 by profession — total, 56. Pres- 
 ent number, 44. Three fourths of all the members that 
 have been connected with this church had pious parents : — 
 also, those who have been excommunicated belong to the 
 one fourth whose parents were not professedly pious. The 
 accessions have been chiefly from the children of the church, 
 and the Sabbath school. The average attendance on public 
 worship through the year is about one hundred. There is 
 no other evangelical denomination in the place, and no other 
 meetings, except an occasional one of Universalists. Our 
 charitable contributions amount to about one dollar to each 
 member of the church. And to whatever cause we may at- 
 tribute the change, it is manifest that among those who do 
 32 
 
490 BELKNAP COUNTY. 
 
 not profess to be pious, there is less open wickedness and an 
 increasing attention to propriety and decorum. 
 
 GILFORD. 
 
 Taken from Gilmanton ; incorporated June 16, 1812. — 
 Ekler Richard Martin was settled here in 1798 over the first 
 Freewill Baptist society. This church now numbers 159. — 
 We find it stated by Farmer that there "was a society of 
 Congregationalists " here in 1823, but we find no clue to its 
 history. Gilford academy was incorporated in 1820. 
 
 GILMANTON.* 
 
 First Church. 
 
 The first settlers of Gilmanton were chiefly families desir- 
 ous of having the institutions of the gospel. They came 
 from Exeter and vicinity, or from the northeastern towns in 
 Ms., and brought with them the spirit of enterprise, educa- 
 tion, morality and religion. The township was originally 
 granted by George I, in the year in which he died, 1727, to 
 215 proprietors, 24 of whom bore the name of Gilman, and 
 seven were ministers. It was provided in the charter that 
 "a Meeting-house should be built for the public worship of 
 God within four years," and that " a proprietor's share be 
 reserved for the first minister of the gospel that shall be set- 
 tled and ordained, and another for a parsonage." The In- 
 dian and French wars and other causes delaying the settle- 
 ment of the town, the proprietors voted, as inducement to 
 settlers, that the shares should be laid out so as to be con- 
 venient "for a parish," and also engaged "as soon as there 
 should be ten families settled in Gilmanton to employ a 
 minister to preach to them." 
 
 The first family came into town Dec. 26, 1763, and, in less 
 than one year and eight months, or on the 1st of August, 
 1765, Rev. Wm. Parsons, having been employed by the pro- 
 prietors, moved into town. He came on horseback with his 
 family, and his furniture was brought on the first ox-cart 
 which had ever entered the town. He was employed annu- 
 ally for ten years, preaching in private houses and school 
 houses in different parts of the town, as neither a Meeting- 
 
 * Skeicli by Rev. R. M. Sargeat. 
 
GILMANTON. 491 
 
 house had been built nor a church been organized. He was 
 a useful and exemplary minister, and by his preaching and 
 other eiForts aided in giving an intelligent, moral and relig- 
 ious character to the inhabitants, and his influence is percep- 
 tible even at the present time. He also taught the schools 
 of the early settlers, even till he was quite advanced in age. 
 He was son of Eev. Joseph Parsons of Salisbury, Ms. ; settled 
 at South Hampton, 1753 ; dismissed 1762 ; came to Gilman- 
 ton 1763 ; died 1796, aged SO. 
 
 In May, 1774, Eev. Isaac Smith, who bad previously spent 
 a few Sabbaths in town, commenced preacliing as a regular 
 supply, having been hired for one year. In August, howev- 
 er, the town gave him a call to settle, his salary to be £50 
 the first year, and to increase £ 5 each year till it was £ 75 ; 
 and he was to have £ 75 settlement, also the lands set apart 
 for the first settled minister, and the use of the other minis- 
 terial lands, 30 acres of which were cleared, or to be cleared 
 for him ; his salary was also to continue in case of his sick- 
 ness, and he was to reserve three Sabbaths of each year for 
 rest, or visiting friends. While the call was under consid- 
 eration, a committee visited him from Ipswich, Ms., with a 
 call, as he had prcA-ioirsly preached there for a little time. 
 Birt a decided deacon told them firmly that the jieople of 
 Gilmanton were united in Mr. Smith, and could not let him 
 go. Mr. Smith was ordained Nov. 30, 1774. Eev. Dr. 
 McClintock of Greenland preached the sermon, and Eev. 
 Messrs. Walker of Concord, Foster of Canterbury, Stearns 
 of Epping, Upham of Deerfield, Woodman of Dunbarton, 
 and Dr. Belknap of Dover performed the other services. — 
 Also by concurrence of the same council a Congregational 
 church was gathered consisting of only 5 members, to which 
 however 17 were added during the succeeding year. In 1777 
 £20 was expended in clearing the parsonage land, and £75 
 was given to Eev. Mr. Smith to aid him in building his 
 house. For several years the inhabitants were very har- 
 monious in regard to Eev. Mr, Smith's salary, but as meet- 
 ings of other denominations began to multijily, a disposition 
 was manifested to throw off the town's obligations to the 
 '^standing order." First, a proposal was made to have as- 
 sessors and a collector of the minister tax separate from the 
 selectmen and constables, who made and collected the other 
 taxes. Then an effort was made to divide the avails of the 
 ministerial lands among the different societies. This at first 
 failed, but afterwards succeeded. 
 
 From 1810 to 1815 no ministerial tax was made out, and 
 no other way was open to Eev. Mr. Smith to obtain lawful 
 
492 BELKNAP COUNTY. 
 
 and just compensation for his services except to commence a 
 suit against the town. When the peo^jle met to consider 
 the matter they appointed a committee to tiy to make a 
 settlement with Kev. Mr. Smith, and it was finally agreed 
 to pay him $1402, which for the sake of peace he accepted, 
 and relinquished all claims upon the town. The salary had 
 previously been raised by the town, and all who did not be- 
 long to any other society were considered as belonging to> 
 this, and were taxed accordingly. But all who were regular 
 members of the Baptist society were not taxed, from the first 
 settlement, and all who became members of other societies 
 when they arose, were excused from being taxed to pay the 
 salary of the minister of the town. But after this Kev. Mr, 
 Smith was sustained by voluntary subscription. An Act of 
 Incorporation for the "First Congregational Society" was 
 obtained, and the town as such ceased to have any further 
 responsibility respecting the settlement or support of the 
 ministry. Also it had not been usual previously to tax the 
 minister, but in 1812 and again in 1816 it was voted to tax 
 the property of Rev. Mr. Smith, and since that time the min- 
 isters have paid their taxes, the same as other citizens. 
 
 Eev. Mr. Smith died in 1817 after an illness of only three 
 days, in the 73d year of his age, and the 43d of his ministry. 
 His funeral was attended by a large concourse of the citizens 
 of this and neighboring towns. Rev. Mr. Carpenter of Chi- 
 chester preached the sermon, and several other ministers 
 were present. In the burying ground near where he lived 
 and the Meeting-house in which he preached, the church 
 erected an appropriate monument to his memory, and the 
 people generally after his death acknowledged the worth of 
 him to whom they had denied his just dues while he was 
 living. During his ministry 114 had joined the church, the 
 number of baptisms by him was 312, of marriages 396, and 
 funerals 1141. He was a skillful linguist, "reading Latin 
 and Greek almost as readily as English ;" he did much for 
 the cause of education, drafted the excellent constitution of 
 the academy, and fitted several young men for college. As 
 a theologian he was sound and discriminating, agreeing sub- 
 stantially with Dr. Bellamy, with whom he studied theology. 
 As a preacher he was animated, vivacious, clear and pointed. 
 In the earlier part of his ministry his sermons were written 
 in full, but later in life he preached for the most part extem- 
 poraneoiisly. As a pastor he was faithful and beloved by the 
 friends of good order. He had the happy " faculty of saying 
 the right things at the right time, so that they would be re- 
 membered." The church, deeply affected by the loss of their 
 
GILMANTON. 4^3 
 
 faithful minister, were led to increased prayer, effort and re- 
 liance upon Grod ; a gracious revival was enjoyed, and the 
 seed, long and earnestly sown, sprung irp at last. Eev. Jesse 
 Stratton, a graduate of Middlebury college, 1814, recently 
 from Andover seminary, labored for a time witli the people, 
 and some 45 were prepared for a public profession. 
 
 Rev. Luke A. Spofford, having preached as a candidate, 
 and induced the church to adopt a new doctrinal creed, was 
 ordained June 9, 1819. The revival of the previous year had 
 awakened a religious interest, and tended to make the exer- 
 cises i^eculiarly solemn and memorable. The sermon was by 
 Rev. Asa Rand of Gorham, Me. The other services were 
 conducted by Rev. Messrs. Wells of Deerfield, Bodwell of 
 Sanbornton, McFarland, D.D. of Concord, Carpenter of Chi- 
 chester, Ainsworth of Jaffrey, Corser of Loudon, Burnham 
 of Pembroke, and Patrick of Canterbury. Rev. Mr. Spofford 
 labored with much care for the spiritual purity of the church, 
 and the good of the whole people, and a gracious revival was 
 enjoyed in 1823. But the field of his labors being very large 
 and the demands of the people very great, he resigned his 
 charge in 1825. 
 
 January 1st of that year Rev. Daniel Lancaster commenced 
 supplying the pulpit ; and April 11th the church gave him a 
 call to settle, which he declined. June 9th, Rev. Mr. Spof- 
 ford was dismissed, after six years pastorate, and in July the 
 caU was renewed to Rev. Mr. Lancaster, and he returning 
 from Massachusetts accepted and was ordained Sept. 21, 
 1825. Rev. Mr. Cooke of Acworth preached, and Rev. 
 Messrs. Bodwell, Prentice, Spofford, Cross, George, and Co- 
 nant, performed the other services. Feb. 26, 1826, 25 mem- 
 bers obtained letters of dismission and recommendation for 
 the purpose of forming a new church at the Academy village, 
 the center of the town, three miles west of the First church, 
 and Oct. 12, 1830, 13 more members were dismissed to be 
 formed into a church at the Iron Works callage, three miles 
 east. The formation of these two churches and societies in 
 the villages where they were absolutely required, left the 
 First church and society much reduced, as there was scarce- 
 ly any village near its Meeting-house. And tliough revivals 
 were enjoyed in 1826-7, and again in 1831, yet, the society 
 being unable to afford an adequate support to a minister, 
 Rev. Mr. Lancaster asked a dismission July 15th, 1832, which 
 was acceded to by the church on the 22d, and he was dis- 
 missed on the 25th of the same month. He was pastor of 
 the First church for six years, though for two years he 
 preached half of the time at the Iron Works village, and two 
 
494 _ BELKNAP COUNTY. 
 
 other years half of the time at the Center vdllage. During 
 his ministry 85 were added to the church ; there were 118 
 baptisms, and over 100 funerals. 
 
 Since Kcv. Mr. Lancaster's dismission the First church 
 and society have been destitute of a pastor, but have had 
 occasional and sometimes stated supplies. Kev. F. P. Smith, 
 son of their first minister, preached for them through the 
 year 18-34. Kev. Josiah Carpenter in 1837, Rev. Dana B. 
 Bradford, and various other members of the theological sem- 
 inary, supplied them for several years. Eev. Wm. Cogswell, 
 D.D. while President of the theological seminary, supplied 
 them on the Sabbath till the illness preceding his death, 
 which occurred April 18, 1850. Rev. James Hobart of Ber- 
 lin, Vt., commonly known as "fixther Hobart," and Rev. J. 
 C. Page, formerly of Raymond, while residing in town, also 
 Rev. J. W. Jones, a local preacher of the Methodist church, 
 have supplied their pulj^it for several seasons. No additions 
 liave been made to the church since 1844. Whole number 
 received in all is 311. They own a parsonage and land ad- 
 joining, obtained during the ministry of Rev. Mr. Spofford. 
 The deacons have been Stephen Dudley and John Sanborn, 
 (elected in 1776,)Winslow Page and Benjamin Page, (1803,) 
 Joseph French, (1819,) Moses Page, (1826,) and Theophilus 
 Gilman, (1828.) In September, 1774, the frame of the first 
 Meeting-house was raised, but the house was not prepared 
 to be used for worshiji till the following season. It was 60 
 feet by 45, with a porch at each end, with galleries on three 
 sides, a broad aisle six feet wide, and an aisle crossing this, 
 running from end to end, four feet wide, and with narrower 
 aisles passing around to accommodate the wall pews. It was 
 not entirely finished, glazed and plastered, till 1790. In 1807 
 it was repaired and clapboarded, but it was many years be- 
 fore a stove was introduced, and then with considerable re- 
 luctance on the part of some. The people must have been a 
 hardier race than the present, to sit thus unwarmed through 
 long services. This house stood till 1839 when it was taken 
 down, and a small and comfortable house was erected and 
 dedicated in 1840 on or near the same place. 
 
 GILMANTON CENTER. 
 
 Rev. R. M. Sargent. 
 
 The Center Congregational Society in Gilmanton was 
 ,formed March 16, 1825, Hon. William Badger (afterwards 
 
GILMANTON CENTBE. 495 
 
 Grovernor,) being the first moderator, and N. Crosby clerk ; 
 and preaching was secured a part of that year. The Center 
 church in Gilmanton, located at the Academy village and 
 about at the center of the town, was organized March 8, 
 1826, by a council consisting of Rev. Messrs. Lancaster, 
 Bodwell, Patrick and Norwood. Mr. Bodwell preached the 
 sermon, and Mr. Patrick presented the articles of faith and 
 covenant. The original number of members was 25. 
 
 July 12, 1826, Mr. Heman Rood, having in the previous 
 spring received a unanimous call, was ordained as the pastor. 
 The sermon was preached by Rev. Justin Edwards of Ando- 
 ver. Services were held in the unfinished Meeting-house. 
 He remained about three years and a half, when, receiving 
 a call to settle in New Milford, Conn., he was dismissed 
 March 3, 1830. For the succeeding two years this society 
 was supplied with preaching half the time by Rev. D. Lan- 
 caster of the first church ; and from August 1832 to Decem- 
 ber 1835, he preached as stated supply the whole time. Nov. 
 15, 1835, a unanimous call was given to him, and, December 
 16 of the same year, he was installed as pastor of this 
 church. Rev. Mr. Lancaster remained pastor a little over 
 sixteen years, having labored with the several churches ot 
 this town upwards of twenty six years. He was dismissed 
 Jan. 26, 1852. 
 
 The society immediately made efforts to secure a supply 
 of the pulpit, and March 15, 1852, a unanimous call was 
 extended to Mr. R. M. Sargent, a licentiate of Andover, to 
 become their pastor, and he was ordained April 27 of the 
 same year. Special revivals have been enjoyed by this church 
 in 1831 and '32, when 28 were added ; in the autumn of 
 1834, and the early part of 1836, when 76, as the fruit of 
 both these revivals, were added ; in 1838, when 52 were 
 received ; in 1843 and again in 1850 were seasons of refresh- 
 ing, more especially among the pupils of the academy. — 
 During the year 1854, eight have united with the church by 
 profession, and there have been four infant baptisms during 
 the same year. The whole number who have been received 
 to the church is 289. The present number of members is 
 135, 52 males and 83 females. Of these, however, more than 
 thirty are non-resident — several of them now being ministers, 
 either settled or acting as stated supplies, and who joined 
 this church when members of the theological seminary in 
 this village — and have never removed their church relation. 
 The deacons have been Joseph French, Dr. (afterwards Rev.) 
 J. C. Page, Tilton French, Andrew Mack, A. M. and Thomas 
 Adams. The Meeting-house was commenced in 1826, imme- 
 
496 BELKNAP COUNTY. 
 
 diately after the organization of the church, and was dedi- 
 cated Sept. 20, 1827. It is a neat and commodious edifice, 
 cost $ 3500. In 1854 it was repainted within and without, 
 some improvements were made, and an organ and new pulpit 
 furniture were purcliased. A commodious parsonage house 
 was prepared four years since. The salary is raised entirely 
 by subscription. The other religious societies in town are, 
 the First Congregational church at East Gilmanton, three 
 miles east of the Center, the Congregational and Freewill 
 Baptist churches at the Iron Works village, six miles east, 
 the Calvinist Baptist at lower Gilmanton, four miles south 
 east, the Methodist and the Friends near the academy vil- 
 lage, the First Freewill Baptist and the Christian Baptist in 
 Upper Gilmanton, four miles west, and the Freewill Baptist 
 church worshiping in the Province Eoad Meeting-house five 
 miles north east of the academy. Also, the people from one 
 section of the town attend the Congregational and other 
 churches at Meredith Bridge, and from other borders of the 
 town attend the churches at Union Bridge and Loudon Kidge. 
 Population in 1850, 3282. The congregation worshiping 
 with the center church is composed of the people of the vil- 
 lage and vicinity, and the majority of the students of the 
 academy. The resident families belonging regularly to the 
 congregation number a little over 70. The number of stu- 
 dents varies with different terms. The academy received its 
 excellent charter in 1794, and its object is declared to be to 
 " promote virtue, and piety and knowledge," and all the stu- 
 dents are required to attend some place of pubUc worship. 
 Number of men furnished by this town for the ministry in 
 different denominations, 13. [See Rev. D. Lancaster's His- 
 tory of Gilmanton.] 
 
 GILMANTON lEON WOEKS. 
 
 Rev. RuFua Childs. 
 
 Soon after the settlement of the town of Gilmanton, a 
 Congregational church was organized and provision made 
 for the public worship of God and a pjermanent ministry. — 
 For many years, believers from every direction assembled 
 together with one accord, and worshiped God in one place. 
 In process of time villages grew and population multipHed, 
 to' such a degree, that it became expedient to form churches 
 and erect Meeting-houses in other parts of the town. Oct. 
 12, 1830, thirteen individuals, four males and nine females, 
 
GILMANTON IRON WORKS. 497 
 
 having obtained dismission from the first church, were 
 orc;;anized into a separate church, called the Gilmanton Iron 
 Works Congregational Church. Several important addi- 
 tions were made to the church, soon after its organization. 
 
 On the 28th of September 1831, Mr. Charles G. Safford 
 was ordained pastor of the church. But his term of service 
 was short. On account of ill health, he was dismissed in 
 just five years from the day of his ordination. But his 
 labors here were greatly blessed. Additions to the church 
 were frequent, and there were two revivals of considerable 
 interest, one of which continued for several months, in 
 which some forty individuals expressed a hope in Christ. — 
 For the two years subsequent to Mr. Saftbrd's dismission, 
 the church was without a pastor ; but the pulpit was sup- 
 plied by different individuals, some of whom were connected 
 with the theological seminary in town. In the early jriart 
 of the j^ear 1838 a general revival of religion was enjoyed 
 in the parish, as the fruits of which, 55 individuals wore 
 added to the church at one time. The following statements 
 are in the records of the church : "Among those who, after 
 very pungent convictions of sin, at last entertained hope in 
 the mercy of God, were the notoriously profane. Sabbath 
 breakers, unbelievers, and scoffers at religion. Heads of 
 families were brought in, with their children. The aged, 
 middle aged, and the young, were partakers of the grace of 
 God. Besides these, some — who had in times i)ast obtained 
 pardon of their sins, but had not given God thanks, and had 
 kept it secret from the world — now came out confessing their 
 ingratitude and guilt, and renewedly dedicating themselves 
 to God." 
 
 Jan. 30, 1839, Mr. S. S. N. Greeley was ordained over 
 the church as their pastor. He was received among them 
 with joy and gratitude. His labors were blessed to the 
 church, and several additions were made to it while under 
 his pastoral care. After about four years from the time of 
 his settlement he asked for a dissolution of the pastoral 
 relation, which, on the ground of his request, was granted. 
 For nearly two years the church was again destitute of a 
 pastor, and. was again furnished with preaching, a portion of 
 the time, from the theological seminary. Eev. William 
 Cogswell, D.D., supplied the pulpit for a few months. — 
 Through his agency, Mr. Rufus Childs was introduced to 
 the people, received and accepted a call to settle among 
 them, and was ordained pastor of the church Nov. 6, 1844. 
 There has been nothing particularly marked in the history 
 
498 BELKNAP COUNTY. 
 
 of the church since that time. There have been seasons of 
 more than ordinary religious interest, — some conversions and 
 additions to the church, but there has been no general revi- 
 val of religion since the year 1838. The church and society 
 are in a harmonious state, and in an able and prosperous 
 condition, if we regard numbers, talent, and means of sup- 
 porting gospel institutions among them. The whole num- 
 ber of members of the church from the beginning is 172 ; 
 the infant baptisms have been 37. The j)i'esent number of 
 members is 113. It is one of the important towns in the 
 State, and upon the churches within its borders a great 
 weight of responsibility rests. 
 
 LACONIA. 
 
 Rev. John K. Voting. 
 
 The village formerly called Meredith Bridge, which is 
 partly in Gilford and partly in Laconia, was for many years, 
 from the time of its settlement, destitute of the regular and 
 stated ministrations of the gospel. As a consequence, 
 immorality and irreligion prevailed to a great extent among 
 the inhabitants. An interest in the spiritual welfare of the 
 place at length arose in the minds of the friends of Home 
 Missions ; and the Society for the Promotion of Christian 
 Knowledge in Massachusetts, and the New Hampshire Mis- 
 sionary Society directed their missionaries to labor in this 
 field. Among these were the Rev. I. Turner, who first 
 established himself as a missionary here, in the summer of 
 1813 ; Eev. Jotham Sewall, Rev. Henry Sewall, Mr. Nathan 
 Fisk afterward professor of Greek language in Amherst col- 
 lege, Ms. and Rev. Francis Norwood. Three missionaries had 
 preceded these men but failed of gathering a congregation. 
 
 Rev. Mr. Norwood came here in June 1824, and on July 
 26, of the same year, a Congregational church was organized 
 consisting of nine members, no one of whom had previously 
 made a public profession of religion. The ministers who 
 officiated on the occasion, were Rev. A. Bodwell, Rev. Jon- 
 athan Curtis and Rev. L. A. Spofford. Mr. Norwood hav- 
 ing supplied the pulpit for one year, was ordained and 
 installed as "pastor and teacher," July 5, 1825. He con- 
 tinued his useful and successful labors here amid many hin- 
 drances, until May 30, 1830, when the Society for the 
 Promotion of Christian Knowledge, failing to render further 
 aid, he was dismissed, leaving a church with 35 members. 
 
LACONIA. 499 
 
 Kev. John K. Young came into this place Aug. 12, 1831, 
 and was installed Nov. 30 of the same year. [See Dover.] 
 During this autumn a revival of great power came upon this 
 people through the great goodness of God. The way had 
 been prepared, in some good degree, by the labors of the 
 first pastor, but it was a signal work of Him who alone 
 renews the heart. It embraced many of the most influen- 
 tial citizens of this Aillage, and gave religion a character and 
 position which from that time it has never entirely failed to 
 maintain. In the spring of 1832, the Sabbath School was 
 visited by a refreshing from the Holy Spirit. In the 
 autumn of 1834 and in the winter of 1836-7, revivals of more 
 limited extent were enjoyed — the former seemed to be the 
 blessino; of God on the meeting; of the General Association 
 and a protracted meeting, and the latter was the same bless- 
 ing on the labors of Rev. Aaron Warner and the brethren 
 of the church. During the spring of 1838, another gracious 
 visitation of the Holy Spirit was granted, of greater power 
 and extent than at any time previous except 1831. In this 
 work the church and pastor were greatly aided by brethren 
 in the ministry and the students of the Gilmanton theo- 
 logical seminary. The year 1840 witnessed a revival among 
 our youth, of whom about twenty united with the church. 
 Another refreshing was enjoyed in 1842, the subjects of 
 which were of a more advanced age. Three of these revi- 
 vals — those of 1831, 1838 and 1842 — were characteiized by 
 the hopeful conversion of men in the meridian of life, and 
 heads of families, a considerable number of whom had been 
 sceptical or believers in universal salvation. There were 
 also those who gave evidence of repentance by restoring that 
 which was fraudulently obtained, and by becoming friends 
 after a long period of enmity. There was one instance of 
 the reconciliation of parties who had not previously spoken 
 to each other for iifteen years. 
 
 Since 1842 there has been no extensive revival in this 
 church. On two different occasions some interest has exist- 
 ed, and from six to ten have expressed a hope that they had 
 experienced the renewing of the Holy Spirit. At other 
 times also individuals have given evidence of a saving change, 
 and, in the spring of the present year 1855, some interest was 
 awakened soon after the occurrence of the great calamity in 
 March of this year— the falling through of the floor of _ the 
 town hall on the day of election, by which six were killed 
 and more than one hundred injured. Several were awaken- 
 ed and a few became hopefully pious ; but the impression 
 
500 BELKNAP COUNTY. 
 
 of tliat affecting event lias diiefly i^assed awaj^ Although 
 there is external j^rosperity and we believe that some Chris- 
 tians are "growing in grace," the renewing influences of the 
 Spirit are not now enjoyed. Including the original mem- 
 bers, 328 have been added to this church — 212 by profes- 
 sion, 116 by letter. The removals have been 151 — by dis- 
 mission 86 — by exclusion 12 — by death 53. The present 
 number is 177 — males 49 — females 128. The deacons of this 
 church have been, Benjamin Swain, Salmon Stevens, Bcnj. 
 T. Sanborn, John B. Jewett, Ebenezer S. Lawrence, Isaac 
 S. Jewett, and Orrin Bugbee — the last two being now iu 
 active service. 
 
 The first Sabbath School in this village was held in 1818, 
 during the mission of Kev. Jotham Sewall, — S. C. Lyford, 
 Esq., being superintendant. It was held also in the sum- 
 mer, and sometimes in the winter during the ministry of 
 Eev. F. Norwood. And since 1831, with the exception of a 
 suspension of three months for the repairing of the house of 
 worship, it has continued without interruption both summer 
 and winter. The first house of worship was erected in 1809 
 but not entirely completed for some years, though it was 
 occupied while in an unfinished state. In 1834 it was 
 repaired and p>ainted — but consumed 'by fire in February 
 1836. Another house, more commodious and in a better 
 style of architecture, was erected in the following year, at an 
 expense, including the bell, of about six thousand dollars. — 
 The bell was presented by D. Burnham, Esq. 
 
 This brief sketch of the dealings of God with this church 
 shows that they have great cause to be grateful to the great 
 Head of the church, for putting it into the hearts of the 
 friends of missions to pray and labor and give of their sub- 
 stance to promote the spiritual welfare of this once desti- 
 tute people. 
 
 A church was organized at Meredith, now Laconia Parade, 
 Aug. 30, 1792. Eev. Simon F. Williams was installed 
 pastor Nov. 28 of that year, and dismissed Aug. 28, 1798, 
 for unministerial and unchristian conduct. Joseph Eoberts 
 was elected deacon Feb. 11, 1793. At its organization it 
 consisted of nine members, and to these 16 others were add- 
 ed. This church soon became extinct. Its location was on 
 the road between Meredith Bridge and Meredith Village, 
 four miles from the latter, and five miles from the former. 
 
MEREmTH VILLAGE. 501 
 
 MEREDITH VILLAGE. » 
 
 Rev. J. E. Farwell. 
 
 The town of Meredith in its original survey was laid out 
 in three divisions ; owing to its extensive territory and the 
 indentations of Winnipiseogee lake bounding its eastern bor- 
 der. The first pioneers of the town, neglected to brino- with 
 them the minister of the gospel in the outset ; but subse- 
 quently, noticing the happy influence the institutions of reli- 
 gion had upon communities where they had been established 
 they were induced to make an eflbrt to organize a church 
 and settle a Congregational minister, but it all proved a fail- 
 ure and a serious one ; the minister forfeited his Christian 
 character and the church became extinct, [see last paragraph 
 on Laconia,] leaving the desolations of many years entailed 
 upon the place ; but little now remains to mark the spot 
 but an old dilapidated Meeting-house : flxmilies once in afiiu- 
 ence shared in the ruin, while men of more princijile became 
 identified with other denominations, thus entailing upon 
 their families unhappy prejudices to warp their better judg- 
 ment. The inhabitants compare favorably with other com- 
 munities for enterprise and moral integrity, but the element 
 of fraternal unity has long been wanting. The great center 
 of business and public resort, has been removed to Meredith 
 Bridge on the one hand, and Meredith Village on the other. 
 Separated by "these dissolving views," a new town is now 
 incorporated by the name of Laconia, on the south ; leaving 
 its north eastern border with Meredith Village to bear up 
 the name of Meredith, throwing the scene of this religious 
 declension into the back ground, as the dark shades of a 
 more lovely pticture. 
 
 The Congregational church of Centre Harbor and the 
 Third Division of Meredith was organized Feb. 20, 1815. 
 It was formed by the instrumentality of Eev. Edward War- 
 ren, missionary of the Board of Foreign Missions, prior to 
 his sailing for India, by a few weeks labor among this people. 
 These labors were blessed in awakening a religious interest 
 with the young, who with others of riper age were formed 
 into a catechetical society for religious improvement ; 
 reading meetings were established upon the Sabbath, and 
 continued with a good degree of interest until blessed by a 
 settled ministry. This little band of Christian pioneers con- 
 sisted of thirteen members — six males and seven females — 
 
 * Sketch by Dr. John Sanborn. 
 
502 BELKNAP COUNTY. 
 
 being emigrants from towns where tlie gospel and its ordi- 
 nances had been duly appreciated. They had long been 
 favored by Christian sympathy from the Kev. Samuel Hidden 
 of Tamworth, and EeV. Jeremiah Shaw of Moultonboroiigh. 
 and, from time to time, by a few months of pastoral itinerant 
 labor from one of the evangebcal societies of Massachusetts, 
 which was continued in a measure until they came under 
 the patronage of the New Hampshire Home Missionary 
 Society. Eev. David Smith of Temple, Me., was installed 
 over this church as pastor Marcli 23, 1819. He was a man 
 of exemplary piety, and greatly blessed in carrying forward 
 the work of the ministry. As the result of his labors, IS 
 members were added to the church. He died August 1824. 
 His salary was $ 300 annually. Eev. Eeuben Porter was 
 installed Jan. 1, 1829, and dismissed 22d March, 1831.— 
 Under his ministry seven were added to the church by pro- 
 fession. 
 
 Eev. Joseph Lane formerly a missionary of the Foreign 
 Board among the Choctaw Indians, was installed April 5, 
 1831. The church voted to assume the name of the First 
 Congregational Church in Meredith. During his ministry 
 a powerful revival of religion took place, whicli extended to 
 every part of the community, giving an entirely new aspect 
 to the moral atmosphere of the place. As the result of this 
 re^dval 39 were added to the church, four by letter and 35 
 by profession. Mr. Lane was an active energetic man, of a 
 warm temperament and of ardent piety. He was dismissed 
 from his charge April 8, 1833, and became an agent of the 
 Bible Society. After Eev. Mr. Lane was dismissed, Eev. 
 Abraham Wheeler labored among this people two years as 
 stated supply ; during his ministry 28 were added to the 
 church, two by letter and 26 by profession. Miss Jane B, 
 Leavitt, a young lady of elevated piety, a member of tliis 
 church, became a missionary of the Board of Foreign Mis- 
 sions, and an efficient help in extending the religion of Christ 
 to the poor benighted Indian ; she subsecjuently married the 
 Eev. Mr. Seymore, one of the missionaries of the Board. 
 
 March 28, 1838, Eev. Eli Taylor was installed pastor over 
 this church. He was formerly of Croydon in this State. 
 The members of this church, Hving near Centre Harbor vil- 
 lage, were formed into a separate church by an ecclesiastical 
 council, — dismissed by mutual consent and organized as the 
 Congregational church of Centre Harbor. Fifteen members 
 of the original church were thus set apart for this purpose. 
 During Eev. Mr. Taylor's ministry 36 were added to the 
 church— 27 by profession and nine by letter. 
 
NEW HAMPTON. 503 
 
 Kev. Giles Leach was installed pastor over this church Nov. 
 23, 1842. Twenty six were added as members of the church, 
 nine by letter and seventeen by profession, during his minis- 
 try ; some of which were the fruit of an interesting revival 
 of religion mostly confined to Meredith Village in the early 
 part of 1854. Eev. Mr. Leach was dismissed from his pas- 
 toral charge June 14, 1854. He was an efficient pastor, and 
 is stin remembered by his people with affection, as endeared 
 to them for sympathy and kindness while administering to 
 their spiritual wants. Rev. Mr. Farwell is now laboring 
 among this people as stated supply. One member has been 
 added to the church under his ministration. Since the or- 
 ganization of this church, forty of its members have died, 
 fifty five have been dismissed to other churches by letter, six 
 have been excommunicated and not restored ; leaving fifty 
 five resident members, sixteen males and thirty nine females; 
 leaving twenty three to be accounted for, who have left the 
 place from time to time without letters of dismission to 
 other churches ; many of whom, we have reason to believe, 
 have become buried up in the rubbish of the world. Aside 
 from the deficiency of moral character, as often shown by the 
 members of the church who still maintain a nominal stand- 
 ing therein, here is a waste truly saddening to tlie reflecting 
 mind ; but it is so connected with the fluctuation of our vil- 
 lage population, that it is not so sensibly felt until the his- 
 tory of years shows up the aggregate. 
 
 The fluctuation above referred to is a great drawback upon 
 the interests of our small country parishes ; these changes 
 lessen ministerial support ; whole families move ofi' ; our 
 educated young men seek their fortunes elsewhere, and the 
 minister finds it a duty he owes himself and his family to 
 seek another location ; — producing a waste of moral influence, 
 which is not so easily transferred to another community. 
 But the church of G-od still lives ; these families, these young 
 men and these ministers carry with them the elements of 
 Christian principle, to be brought to bear upon others of the 
 human family with whom they mingle. 
 
 NEW HAMPTON. 
 
 "New Hampton, March 20, 1800." 
 "At a public town meeting duly notified and held this 
 day at the Meeting-house in said town : 
 
 Ist, Chose Capt. Noah Eobinson, Moderator. 
 
504 BELKNAP COUNTY. 
 
 2d, Voted, 73 votes to settle Mr. Hebard as a gospel min- 
 ister, and 45 against it. 
 
 3d, Voted to choose a committee of nine men, to make 
 arrangements for the settlement of Mr. Hebard." 
 
 At an adjom-ned meeting in May this committee made 
 the following report : " 1st, We the subscribers, after 
 mature deliberation upon the important business that we 
 were appointed to do, have agreed to report and do report, 
 that Mr. Salmon Hebard, if settled as a gospel minister in 
 and for the town of New Hampton, shall have one hundred 
 acres of land off the northwesterly end of the minister lot, 
 so called, in said town, exclusive of six acres to be round 
 about the Meeting-house for the accommodation of said 
 town as a Common, Burying Ground, and meaning the 
 whole width of said lot. 2d, Agreed that Mr. Hebard shall 
 have fifty acres more of said lot, adjoining the said hundred 
 acres before mentioned, clear across said lot, as a compensa- 
 tion to him as a settlement for to erect buildings, &c. 3d, 
 Agreed that fifty acres more of said lot, adjoining said fifty 
 acres last mentioned, clear across said lot, to be laid out as 
 a parsonage lot, for the use of the town's minister, in said 
 town, during time. 4th, Agreed that Mr. Hebard shall 
 have one hundred and fifty dollars per year, as a salary, as 
 long as he shall supply the desk in said town as a minister 
 of the gospel. 5th, Agreed that Mr. Hebard shall have two 
 or three Sabbath days in a year to visit his friends. 6th, 
 Agreed that the remainder of said lot containing 140 acres 
 be divided into two pieces or lots — 90 acres to be put in one 
 lot adjoining the Simpson farm, so called, clear across said 
 lot. The two last mentioned pieces of land to be sold at 
 public vendue, to the highest bidder, and the interest to be 
 appropriated to help pay the salary of the town's minister — 
 the principal never to be diminished. 7th, Agreed that 
 if Mr. Hebard settles in said town as a gospel minister, he 
 shall give bonds before he is settled, that he shall quit-claim 
 the above mentioned pieces of land for the use as aforesaid 
 except the 150 acres described for him." 
 
 Mr. Hebard gave his bonds for $ 3000 in all to quit-claim 
 all his right, title and interest to the selectmen, of the pieces 
 of land above named. The ordination council were Eev. 
 Eden Burroughs of Hanover, Rev. Thomas Page of Hebron, 
 Eev. Samuel Chever of Hartland, Vt., and Eev. Edward 
 Evans of Enfield. The council met June 24, 1800, and 
 after prayer proceeded to examine the preUminaries, — 
 respecting the call of the church and town to brother Hebard, 
 together with his answer ; — the order of the church ; — the 
 
NEW HAMPTON. 505 
 
 pastor elect, relative to his Christian experience — his call 
 and introduction to the work of the gospel ministry — his 
 doctrinal knowledge and general cpialifications for the gospel 
 ministry, — and having obtained comfurtable satisfaction in 
 all these particulars, the council voted unanimously that 
 they felt it their duty to proceed on the morrow, by the leave 
 of Pro^'idence, to the ordination of the pastor elect. Mr. 
 Hebard was ordained June 25, 1800. 
 
 The confession of faith and the covenant are very solemn 
 and evangelical. The following is the concluding part of 
 the covenant : "In our fellowship together and in our mu- 
 tual watch over each other, we covenant most solemnly to 
 take the word of God and especially the New Testament for 
 our director}' and platform, — so as ever to observe and be 
 governed by the directions therein contained, in all our deal- 
 ings with each other ; and to require that conduct of each 
 other which this AVord of Life requires, and to condemn that 
 conduct in each other which this Word of Life condenms. 
 To all which we do mo^t fully and solemnly bind ourselves, 
 in a iirm reliance on the grace of our Redeemer, to work in 
 us continually, both to will and to do of his own good 
 pleasure." 
 
 In 1801, the records show about 135 members, — probably 
 about one half of them resident in the easterly part of 
 Bridgewater, which town was then bounded by Hill (tlien 
 New Chester,) — the other half were mostly residents of 
 New Hampton. The last item recorded in the records by 
 Rev. Mr. Hebard, who acted as clerk as well as pastor, is dat- 
 ed Aug. 6, 1815. Extract from the records Nov. 13, 1833 : 
 "This day the Congregational cluirch in New Hampton 
 met according to premms agreement at the Meeting-house 
 in Smith's Village, not having met together till now for 
 more than than twelve years, having been scattered like 
 sheep upon the mountains without a shepherd. In conse- 
 quence of deaths, removals and union witli other churches, 
 the church now consists of only 12 members, a part of whom 
 are unable to be abroad by reason of Ijodily infirmities. 
 The church voted to renew covenant. A new confession 
 of faith and covenant having been proposed by Rev. Mr. 
 Perkins, was adopted. Chose Rev. James W. Perkins stat- 
 ed clerk. Three members of the church in Loudon were 
 received by letter of recommendation. Rev. Mr. Scales of 
 Henniker, Rev. Mr. Knight of New Chester, and Rev. Mr. 
 Saunders of Bridgewater were present to assist in the servi- 
 ces. After examination had, thirteen persons were received 
 into the church by profession, after assenting to the articles 
 33 
 
506 BELKNAP COUNTY. 
 
 of faith and covenant, by vote of the church." The last 
 entry in the church records by the Rev. Mr. Perkins, was 
 made Aug. 4, 1839. 
 
 Oct. 7, 1842, at a meeting of the members of the Congre- 
 gational church in the town of New Hampton, at the 
 dwelling-house of Rufus Gr. Lewis, agreeable to notice ; 
 present, brothers A. B. Sanborn, Noah Mason, R. Gr. Lewis 
 and Timothy Merrick of the New Hampton church, and 
 Rev. Daniel 0. Morton pastor of the Congregational church, 
 and Chester Stone officer in the same at Bristol : " The 
 church of New Hampton having been for a long time depriv- 
 ed of a pastor and occasional ministerial labor, and being 
 desirous of the ' blessing of the Lord ' which maketh rich 
 and addeth no sorrow with it, are anxious to devise some 
 plan calculated to give them greater religious privileges 
 than they enjoy at present, by securing to their families the 
 visits of the minister of God, and in the community their 
 services at lectures, prayer meetings and at times the public 
 service of the Sanctuary. After reading the Scriptures 
 and uniting in a season of prayer for direction in the delib- 
 erations of the meeting. Rev. Daniel 0. Morton was chosen 
 moderator, and R. Gr. Lewis, scribe. After consultation 
 upon the subject at some length, it was unanimously 
 Resolved, That under existing circumstances, it is desira- 
 ble that the members of the Congregational church in the 
 town of New Hampton should unite themselves with some 
 of the sister churches in the vicinity ; and that we recom- 
 mend this lueasure to such of the members as are not pres- 
 ent — and that such connections may continue only until 
 such time as the Providence of Grod may seem to indicate 
 that a re-union, and renewed establishment of church ordi- 
 nances, be desirable for the promotion of His cause. — 
 Resolved, further. That the scribe of this meeting be 
 authorized to give letters to such members as are in good 
 standing, and are desirous of uniting Avith sister churches, 
 after having first settled in his own mind, by inquiry and 
 conversation with Christian brethren, the applicant is 
 deserving ; — and that he be authorized to do such other acts 
 as may be necessary to cany into effect the spirit of these 
 resolutions, being aided by consultation with Christian 
 brethren." The records of the Congregational church close 
 with a list of 19 members who had received letters of recom- 
 mendation to the church in Bristol, May 4, 1842, and of one 
 other member to the same church, May 6, 1843. 
 
 It is proper to add that in New Hampton was located 
 the Female Seminary of the Calvinistic Baptists, a school 
 
SANBORNTON. 507 
 
 of gvccat influence, and commanding an extensive patronage 
 for very many years. The Theological Institute of the same 
 denomination was also located in New Hampton. These 
 seminaries are now transferred to Fairfax, Vt. In 1854 the 
 Freewill Baptists came into possession of the j^remises and 
 now have a tlourishinw school. 
 
 SANBOENTON. 
 
 Rev. James Boutwell. 
 
 The Congregational church here was organized, consisting 
 of seven members, in 1771, and Rev. Jose2:)h Woodman was 
 ordained its pastor, Nov. 13 of the same year. This was at 
 a very early period in the settlement of the town ; Ijefore 
 there was a Meeting-house, or even a school-house in which 
 meetings could be held for public worship ; and the ordina- 
 tion services of Mr. Woodmaii were performed in a private 
 dwelling-house. Mr. Woodman's pastoral relation to the 
 church continued thirty five years ; though for two or three 
 of the last years he was taken from his labors by ill health. 
 He was dismissed Nov. 13, 1S06. A spirit of unanimity and 
 harmony prevailed in the church and society during his min- 
 istry ; but no special revival of religion was experienced, and 
 the church continued small. Nothing sp)ecially trying oc- 
 curred during this period till toward its close, when Baptist 
 preachers came in, led away many, and soon built up a flour- 
 ishing Baptist church and society. This was a severe trial 
 to Mr. Woodman, and many others. He lived a year or two 
 after his dismission, and died at the age of 66 years. 
 
 His successor, Eev. Abraham Bodwell, was ordained pas- 
 tor of the church Nov. 13, 1806. At the commencement of 
 Mr. Bodwell's ministry the church consisted of 46 members. 
 18 males, and 28 females. During his ministry 307 M'ere 
 added to the church, 75 were dismissed, 119 were removed 
 by death, and 5 were excluded, leaving 154. The number 
 of baptisms during the same period was 484, a small propor- 
 tion of which were adult. During the first ten years there [» 
 nothing specially interesting to record ; no general revival ; 
 about 30 were added to the church, mostly by profession. 
 But the year 1816 was a season long to be remembered by 
 the Congregational church and society in Sanbornton. It 
 was a time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. — 
 A general and powerful revival of religion was experienced, 
 which came " not with observation." No new measures had 
 
508 BELKNAP COUNTY. 
 
 been adopted, no extra means had been used. At the very 
 iirst it could be said, " Surely the Lord is in this place ; and 
 I knew it not." Almost the first appearance of it seemed 
 to be, that some were rejoicing in hope, and others inquir- 
 ing what they should do to be saved. In this way the work 
 was carried forward, with stillness, solemnity and power. — 
 ISTo help from abroad except a Deacon Clough from Canter- 
 bury, who, hearing of the revival, of his own accord came and 
 spent several weeks in the place, going about from house to 
 house, admonishing sinners, and exhorting them to flee from 
 the wrath to come. His time and labor were not sjient in 
 vain. As a fruit of this revival, one hundred, or a little 
 more, were added to the church. These were of almost ev- 
 ery age, from twelve to more than fifty years. The greater 
 part of them continued to exhibit satisfactory evidence of a 
 real work of grace, wrought in their hearts. Some few in 
 the hour of trial and temptation fell away. After this, 
 several smaller revivals were experienced, which took place 
 in and between the years 1825 and 1838. The hopeful con- 
 versions in these seasons of refreshing amounted to about 
 ninety. Some of these revivals were connected with pro- 
 tracted meetings, which afford evidence that such meetings 
 resulted in some benefit. But in most cases here, they left 
 the church in a very undesirable state. And from the last 
 date, 1838, to the close of this ministry, 18.52, there were no 
 revivals, and but few additions to the church. 
 
 In consequence of feeljle health and increasing age, Eev. 
 Mr. Bodwell requested in 1851 to be dismissed from his pas- 
 toral charge, but the church did not grant his request. In 
 the spring of 1852, however, this request was renewed, and 
 the church having invited Eev. James Boutwell to become 
 their pastor, the Kev. Mr. Bodwell was dismissed June 24, 
 1852, by the same council that installed Mr. Boutwell. 
 
 It is worthy of record, that at the close of his ministry of 
 almost 46 years, Mr. Bodwell retained the confidence and af- 
 fection of his people undiminished. The change of pastors 
 was effected with perfect harmony, and a part of his annual 
 support is still continued to Mr. Bodwell. Soon after the 
 present pastor's settlement a season of unusual religious 
 interest occurred. The number added to the church since 
 June, 1852, is 14 — and the whole number of members is 144. 
 The following persons have held the office of deacon in this 
 church : Benjamin Darling, Nathaniel Tilton, Samuel Lane, 
 Benjamin Philbrook, Simeon Moulton, Joseph Sanborn, Mo- 
 ses Emery, John S. Lane, Eichard Lane, James B. Abbott, 
 M.D,, and A. BodweU Sanborn. 
 
§xi\iim €m\\b. 
 
 ALEXANDRIA. 
 
 This town was granted in 1767, settled in 1769 and incor- 
 porated in 1782. It had 707 inhabitants in 1820 ; in 1850, 
 1273. A church was formed here about 1788, and Eev. 
 Enoch Whipple was settled the same year, and remained 
 until 1794. This church became extinct. 
 
 A Cono-recrational church was or<ranized here in 1823 of 
 seven members, and in 1831 it had 22 members. The church 
 has had jareaching only a small part of the time — how much 
 cannot be fully ascertained. In 1837 Eev. Mr. Holt jjrcached 
 here one half the time, in 1839 Eev. Mr. Turner labored 
 one half the time among them. In 1841 the church was 
 broken ujd by the members taking letters to join other 
 churches. 
 
 BATH. 
 
 Rev. TnoMAS Boutelle. 
 
 The first church formed in Bath was in 1778, on the 
 Presbyterian platform. Several of the first settlers were 
 from the southeast part of the State, and their minister was 
 a Presbyterian. After the Eevolutionary war, several prom- 
 inent individuals came in and settled here, from Massachu- 
 setts and Connecticut, who were of the Puritan stamj^. — 
 The Presbyterian church was therefore dissolved, and in 
 1791 a Congregational church was organized in its stead, 
 consisting of 19 members. The first organization of the 
 town by the choice of officers, &c., was in 1784. Previous 
 to this the business had been done by the proprietors. In 
 October of this year the town gave a call to Eev. Ebenezer 
 Cleaveland to settle with them in the ministry, offering him 
 "a salary of 220 bushels of wheat per year." A few months 
 after, they voted ''to give him forty pounds as a further 
 encouragement to Ills settlement ; " also "forty pounds for 
 
510 GRAFTON COUNTY. 
 
 building him a dwelling-house, to be paid in labor and 
 building materials." This call was declined. In 1790, an 
 invitation was extended by the town to Eev. Enos Bliss to 
 settle vfith them in the ministry — they voting "to give him 
 an hundred acres of land, the clearing, sowing and har- 
 vesting ten acres yearly for ten years to come, and after that 
 to furnish him with a hired man so long as he continues as 
 minister of the town." At an adjourned meeting they voted 
 "to give him fifty pounds for the first year, then to advance 
 five pounds yearly till it amounts to seventy pounds ; " also, 
 "to procure one right of land (the number of grantees under 
 the charter was 100) to be made secure to him and his 
 heirs." Notwithstanding the liberal provision thus made 
 for his support, he did not accept of the call. 
 
 A good man of the name of Estabrooks, with a large fam- 
 ily, sat down on a piece of land in town at one time with a 
 view to farming, and to receive what the people might be 
 pleased to give him for preaching. Pressed down by sick- 
 ness and poverty, he only survived two or three years. Till 
 the year 1803, a shanty-like building was the only place 
 of worship — meetings being held in barns and dwelling- 
 houses. In that year the inhabitants, numbering about 900, 
 who were generally agreed in their preference for Congre- 
 gational worship, concluded to build a large Meeting-house ; 
 which was finished in two years at the cost of $ 3000, raised 
 by the sale of pews. 
 
 In January of 1804, David Sutherland, a native of Scot- 
 land, educated for the ministry in the Scottish Ecclesiasti- 
 cal Congregational Seminary, (over which, subsequently, 
 the celebrated Dr. Kalph Wardlaw presided,) who had 
 crossed the Atlantic the preceding year, with a view to 
 laboring among the Scotch settlers in Barnet and Eyegate, 
 Vt.,was invited to spend a Sabbath in Bath. In the course 
 of the year he spent several Sabbaths. In the beginning of 
 1805 he received a call from the church, to the pastoral 
 office, and, according to the laws and customs of those times, 
 from the town, to settle as town nfinister, on a salary of 
 $400, to be assessed on the voters in town, exemj)ting, of 
 course, such as chose to lodge their names in the town clerk's 
 office as dissenters. Neither was coercion allowed by the 
 pastor in the case of those whose names were on the tax 
 bills. This connection continued thirty years, during which 
 time several very precious and extensive revivals occurred, 
 which brought large accessions to the church, which at the 
 pastor's settlement consisted of 30 members ; although, by 
 reason of deaths, removals and excommunications, at no 
 
BATH. 511 
 
 time much exceeded 200. But the pastor liad reason to 
 behevc, from what he witnessed on death-beds, that many 
 had become converts to the grace of God, who never came 
 into the church. 
 
 In tlie year 1835 the inhabitants of tlie two villages, and 
 others, living in the east part of the town, built a Meeting- 
 house in the lower village, which occasioned a division in 
 town and church. A church was organized in the old Meet- 
 ing-house and in the new, the pastor retaining his connec- 
 tion with the worshipers in the new. The worshipers in the 
 old Meeting-house called and settled Peter Nicols, who lost 
 his health soon after his ordination, and died of a Hngering 
 consumption. During his sickness, Josepli Marsh was em- 
 ployed as " stated supply," whose services continued about 
 two years — after which the old Meeting- house was abandon- 
 ed, and the people began to turn their faces towards the 
 \'illage church. In 184.3 the pastor resigned his office, and 
 was succeeded by Kev. Edward Cleaveland whose services 
 continued seven years — under whose ministry the churches 
 became united. He was succeeded in 1850 by the present 
 incumbent, Eev. Thomas Boutelle. Four members of this 
 church have gone into the ministry — Amasa Buck, James 
 T. Woodbury, Enoch N. Bartlett, and Edward Kimball— 
 Stephen Bartlett, a most promising young man, with his 
 heart fully set on the ministry, was cut off in the midst of 
 his college life, by death. Michael Sargent, during his col- 
 lege course, had the ministry in view, but, after graduation, 
 studied Law. The following sentence occurs in the last 
 letter he wrote to his former jiastor : "T abandoned my 
 purpose of studying divinity, and studied law, by which I 
 have filled my purse, but wounded my conscience." He was 
 found dead soon after in his bed, one morning, without any 
 known cause. About one-third of the population belong to 
 this parish. There is a Methodist society in the southeast 
 part of the town — some in the northeast part go to the 
 Methodist meeting in Lisbon. One-fourth of the population 
 live on the Connecticut river, and are se^iarated from the 
 rest of the inhabitants by a mountain running the whole 
 length of the town. Of these, some go to the Congregation- 
 al society in Barnet, Vt., and still more to Wells River, Vt. 
 The average attendance probably does not exceed 400, — on 
 very pleasant Sabbaths, perhaps, 500 — a less number than 
 attended on "father Sutherland's" preaching alone, he 
 says, thirty or forty years ago ! 
 
 Revivals. — An interesting one took place in 1811, imme- 
 diately after the prevalence of the spotted fever in the town, 
 
512 GKAFTON COUNTY. 
 
 of tlie subjects of which about 30 united with the church. — 
 A still more memorable one commenced in September, 1820, 
 and extended into the fore part of 1821. On the second 
 Sabbath in September, three men became deeply impressed 
 with their lost and perishing condition as sinners. During 
 the following week, their wives and several others were awa- 
 kened. The good work spread rapidly, and soon became 
 general throughout the town. The salvation of the soul was 
 now the all-engrossing subject among all classes. As results 
 of this great and glorious work, 105 individuals, in the course 
 of the next nine months, united with the Congregational 
 church ; and a considerable number also joined the Metho- 
 dists. In 1827-8 another gracious season was enjoyed, which 
 brought 30 into the church. Another similar work occurred 
 in 1831 ; during this year 38 were added to the church. — 
 The last extensive revival in this town was in the winter 
 and spring of 1851. About 60 were numbered among the 
 subjects of the work. The first Sabbath in May of that year 
 was a memorable one ; when 44 individuals, nearly all of 
 them adults, and many of them heads of families, came out 
 and publicly covenanted to be the Lord's ; and more than 
 half of them received the ordinance of baptism. Several 
 others subsequently united with the church. Other seasons 
 of unusual religious interest have been enjoyed, but these 
 were the most memorable. 
 
 BETHLEHEM. 
 
 Rev. Thomas Hall. 
 
 Incorporated Dec. 27, 1799. Of the early settlers of tliis 
 town but little is definitely known. So far as can be ascer- 
 tained, few only of them were pious. They are supposed to 
 have been industrious, enterprising and moral persons. They 
 are regarded as having been friends to the Sabbath, the gos- 
 pel and its institutions. It is not known that any action 
 was ever taken by the town at any of its meetings, for the 
 introduction and the establishment of the gospel in the 
 place. From the settlement of the town until 1802 there 
 was no stated preaching. The people were occasionally sup- 
 plied by missionaries from various places. From the time 
 of the organization of the church Oct. 1802, until the labors 
 of the first pastor were commenced, the people enjoyed more 
 preaching than they did before the establishment of the 
 church. Though many missionaries and pastors in the neigh- 
 
BETHLEHEM. 513 
 
 borhood labored in this field, yet no one is known to have 
 labored for the term of one year. Usually the time of labor 
 was short. The church at its constitution contained 13 
 members. Since 1829 this church has had three pastors. 
 Kev. William Hutchinson was ordained Jan. 27, 1830, and 
 dismissed Jan. 12, 1833. 
 
 Kev. Edmund Burt was ordained over this church at Fran- 
 conia, Jan. 13, 1841 — dismissed Aug. 20, 1845. Kev. Daniel 
 McClenning was ordained over this church April 28, 1852 — 
 dismissed Aug. 15, 1854. The terms of settlement were 
 that the first pastor should preach one half of the time to 
 this church, and the other half to the church in Whitefield 
 over wliich he was ordained at the above date. The other 
 two were to preach half of the time here, and the other half 
 at Franconia. The first pastor was settled on a salary of 
 $ 300, the other two on a salary of $ 340. A part of the 
 salary of each pastor has been paid by the New Hampshire 
 Missionary Society. Between the dismission of the first 
 and the settlement of the second pastor, the Kev. Charles 
 W. Richardson supplied this church and that at Franconia 
 for five years. Kev. Mr. Esty supplied this churcii fir five 
 years or more between the dismission of the second and the 
 settlement of the third pastor. 
 
 Kev. Thomas Hall, their present minister, commenced his 
 ministrations to these churches the 10th of December 1854. 
 The dismission of each pastor was the result of his own 
 request. Each left his field of labor in the confidence and 
 affection of the people. Harmony marked the union to the 
 last. The three pastors are still remembered by the church 
 and people with warm affection. The result of these dis- 
 missions was sadness, depression and discouragement, but 
 not despair in regard to the future. The church became 
 more earnest in prayer to God, that he would speedily send 
 them another faithfid, spiritual guide ; and that he would 
 graciously open their hearts to more liberal efforts for the 
 maintenance of the gospel. There has never been in the 
 church anything like a schism, unless division in regard to 
 the application of the rules of discipline be regarded as one. 
 In this the church as a body has stood firmly and harmoni- 
 ously together. This church has never had a parsonage or 
 any funds for the support of the gospel. There has been 
 for years more or less of contributions in behalf of the 
 A. B. C. F. Missions, and for the N. H. D. M. Society ; 
 and occasionally for other benevolent objects. The average 
 attendance on the worship of G-od at two places — the Free- 
 will Baptist and at the Congregational house — is estimated 
 
514 GRAFTON COUNTY. 
 
 at one lumdred each. This is about one-fifth of the popu- 
 lation. The whole number of members from the organiza- 
 tion of the church up to the present time is 104, as gathered 
 from the records of the bod)' — present number of members 
 57. Infant baptisms recorded, 67. It is not known that 
 any individual from this town has ever entered the ministry 
 of any denomination. There has been but one revival of 
 very extensive power — this occurred in 1828. As the fruits 
 of that revival twenty four were added to this church, and a 
 number to the Methodist church. There have been several 
 other seasons of refreshing, as the result of which more or 
 less were brought into the church. The activity of the 
 church and the degree of open wickedness in society com- 
 pared with forty years ago, it would be difQcult truly to deter- 
 mine. Church members now perform a great deal more 
 labor than was performed forty years ago. The age in which 
 Christians live now is entirely different from what it was 
 then, as to the amount of labor required, and the activity 
 demanded. While it is evident that the present members 
 of the church are more active, and are doing more for the 
 extension of Christ's kingdom, than were those on the stage 
 forty years ago, yet it may not be questioned that the piety 
 of the first was as intelligent and steadfast as is that of the 
 present day. The Sabbath and the sanctuary are not now 
 regarded with as much reverence and interest as in former 
 days. As to open wickedness in society at the present time 
 compared with that forty years ago, the writer is decidedly 
 of opinion that there is more now than then. There is more 
 Sabbath breaking, neglect of the worship of God, more pro- 
 fanity, more fraud and deception, more open dishonesty, more 
 direct hostility to the Christian religion. Still, our hope is 
 in God. 
 
 BEIDGEWATEE. 
 
 About the year 1790 there was a Congregational church 
 organized in Bridgewater, by Eev. Mr. Page of Hebron, and 
 others, as a branch of Heljron church. At this time there 
 was no other church in town ; all were of one mind and one 
 heart. Previous to this, a number of substantial men had 
 moved into town, from the lower part of New Hampshire 
 and from Eeading, Ms. Mr. Page, at this time, was preach- 
 ing in Hebron. He used to come and preach in Deacon 
 Boardman's barn. "Father Chapin" and others used to come 
 and preach. About the year 1802, they began to build a 
 
BRISTOL. 515 
 
 Meeting-liouse — a two story, old fashioned house. It was fin- 
 ished ill 1806. About the year 1798, Dea. Joshua Fletcher 
 of Plymouth, N. H., moved into town near to the Meeting- 
 house. He preached till 1822. In 1825, Eev. Charles Bowles 
 was ordained and engaged for five years. He preached three 
 and a half years, and was dismissed Ly a council. At this 
 time there were 38 church members, and there had been, up 
 to this time, 20 children baptized. From tliis time the 
 church and society have continued to hire preaching, more 
 or less, up to the year 1850. Since Mr. Bowles left, some 
 members have died — some have moved out of town — some 
 have united with Plymouth and Bristol churches, so that 
 now the Congregational church in Bridgewater is almost ex- 
 tinct. The Meeting-house is out of repair, and is owned by 
 four denominations. The Methodists and Freewill Baptists 
 occupy the Meeting-house in the summer season. Two 
 Freewill Baptist churches embrace 78 members. 
 
 BRISTOL.* 
 
 Rev. Joseph Oakland. 
 
 og,u,^i.^iic*l church was organized Nov. 15, 1826. 
 Clergymen present. Rev. Jonathan Ward, Rev. Andrew Ran- 
 kin, and Rev. S. Arnold. The N. H. Missionaiy Society had 
 made some expenditures on this field before Mr. Arnold oc- 
 cupied it. The records do not say when Mr. Arnold com- 
 menced his labors, but show that he was with this church 
 and people till May, 1828. Rev. Job Cushman succeeded 
 Mr. Arnold, and continued till August, 1829. At a church 
 meeting a vote was passed declaring unanimously that liis 
 labors had been highly acceptable to the church and people, 
 and that his clerical and private deportment had been such 
 as to procure for him general respect, esteem and confi- 
 dence. August, 1829, application was made to the N. H. 
 Missionary Society for assistance to aid in payment of Mr. 
 Cushman's services, but without success, (probably owing to 
 informality.) Mr. Cushman was succeeded by Rev. John 
 S. Winter, who continued his ministrations till March, 1837. 
 In May, 1837, Rev. Mr. Wellman was the minister. Rev. 
 Joel Wright was the pastor in June, 1841. 
 
 March 1, 1842, at a regular church meeting, the Rev. Dan- 
 iel 0. Morton was unanimously invited to become the pastor 
 
 * Sketches of Bristol, Bridgewater, and New Hampton,— by Rev. J. Garland and a 
 committee. 
 
516 
 
 GRAFTON COUNTY. 
 
 of tlie Congregational church in Bristol, and Mr. Morton 
 continued the "minister of the church and Congregational 
 society till March 25, 1852, the day he died and entered into 
 the rest of Heaven. In June, 1852, Eev. Joseph Garland 
 was engaged and continues to be the minister of this church 
 and society. The Hon. Thomas AV. Thompson of Concord, 
 N. H. gave in his will, to the town of Bristol, three lots of 
 land towards building a Meeting-house for the Congrega- 
 tional society in Bristol — the house to be built within six 
 years after his decease, and the house to be of the same size 
 of the one in Franklin. The town refused at first to accept 
 the legacv, until individuals gave a bond to save the town 
 harmless." The house cost $ 1800. The lands sold for $ 1200, 
 and the deficiency was met partly from the sales of pews, and 
 partly by subscriptions from individuals. Funds about $ 800. 
 Collections for Foreign and Domestic Missions, and to build 
 churches at the West, from April 2, 1852, to Jan. 1, 1855, 
 $203.87. Two hundred and sixty three jDcrsons have been 
 received to the church by letter and profession. Members 
 of the church, 76. Freewill Baptist church, 43. There is a 
 Methodist church and society in Bristol village, with a very 
 good chapel and constant preaching, and also a Freewill 
 Baptist society, who have a new Meeting-house and stated 
 preaching. 
 
 An incident during Mr. Arnold's ministry may well claim 
 a place in the memory of every inhabitant of the town at 
 least. Of $30 given to a benevolent object, $20 were given 
 by a young lady who had experienced religion, and who re- 
 marked, " I have taken more satisfaction in earning this 
 money than I did in spending all my wages till I entered 
 my 23d year." 
 
 Mr. Morton was a man of a heavenly spirit. He was use- 
 ful in Shoreham and Springfield, Yt., many years. In 1831 
 the com]iiler of these histories was among the careless young 
 men in Middlebury college, and Mr. Morton was there often 
 during the season of revival in college that year. At a 
 solemn meeting in the college chapel he preached from the 
 words, " Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me. My Fa- 
 ther, thou art the Guide of my youth?" During that night, 
 by the influence of that discourse and of faithful personal 
 labor of a fellow student, the writer believes and thanks God 
 for the hope that he was enabled to cry acceptably — " My Fa- 
 ther, thou art the Guide of my j^outh." The kindly tones and 
 winning smile of the preacher seemed irresistible — but God 
 was there. 
 
CAMPTON. 517 
 
 CAMPTON. 
 
 Rev. Charles Sjiedd. 
 
 Campton was so called from the camp which tlie propri- 
 etors erected when they surveyed the town. It began to be 
 settled in 1767 ; the first town meeting was Nov.'sO, 1771. 
 Many of the settlers were Christians, who ascribed their con- 
 version to the preaching of Whitefield, and were accustomed 
 to hold religious meetings on the Sabbath, especially those 
 who came from Newbury, Ms. and its vicinity. Others who 
 came from Connecticut, are said to have been favorable to 
 the half way covenant and to liave cherished Arminian sen- * 
 timents. The church was formed in 1774, but it was not 
 till 1807 that a strictly orthodox creed was adopted. No 
 records of the church to the 3'ear 1800 exist. 
 
 Dr. Emmons was the first candidate for settlement, and, 
 for a time, the probability was strong that he would remain 
 here, but Providence ordered otherwise. After the town had, 
 in May 1774, raised a salary and £ 105 worth of lalior which 
 was to be given the minister whoever might settle among 
 them, on the 29th of August we find among other votes the 
 following : " Whereas we agree, that the ministerial office is 
 of Divine institution, for the edifying and guiding of Ms 
 church, and to continue to the end of the world ; and they 
 who are called to this office ought to be endowed with com- 
 petent learning, ministerial gifts, as also with the grace of 
 God, sound in judgment, " not a novice" in the faith and 
 knowledge of the gospel ; without scandal, of a holy conver- 
 sation, and such as devote themselves to the work and service 
 thereof : being thus agreed in the internal ipualifications and 
 outward acquirements of Mr. Selden Church ; we hereby 
 vote and call him to the pastoral charge and care of this town 
 and congregation, so long as he shall continue in the fiiith and 
 order of the gospel." Then follows Mr. Church's letter of ac- 
 ceptance, which was read at the same meeting. The town then 
 proceed, " Whereas, we have heard the answer of Mr. Church, 
 and it appears that he is willing to settle with us in the work 
 of the ministry ; we therefore vote and settle the sums of 
 settlement and salary that were voted at a legal meeting, 
 May 26, 1774, and accordingly establish the same for use 
 and service so long as he shall continue to be our minister. 
 At this meeting the times of annual payment were fixed ; 
 also, the drawing of 30 cords of wood each year, was agreed 
 to, as an additional benefit. This meeting was adjourned to 
 Oct. 10, 1774, at which time it was voted to make a general 
 
518 GKAFTON COUNTY. 
 
 entertainment free of cost on the occasion of the ordination ; 
 and after choosing a committee of arrangements, voted, that 
 the rum and sweetening necessarily expended for the ordina- 
 tion, shall be provided at the town's expense, and be cfjual- 
 ed on the levy, and collected by a rate in money as soon 
 as may be." Mr. Church was ordained in October, the day 
 not being recorded. 
 
 Having now obtained a minister, the next thing that occu- 
 pied the town's attention was a Meeting-house. Only some 
 preliminary steps were taken, when the war of the Kevolu- 
 tion came on and all effort was suspended. Aug. 30, 1779, 
 it was voted to purchase the dwelling-house of Joseph Pul- 
 sifer, and fit it up for the use of the tovm. In 1791 this 
 house was moved to a more convenient spot near the Pemi- 
 gewasset river. Mr. Church's ministry in this place contin- 
 ued about eighteen years. He was dismissed in 1791, but 
 still remained in the place. At a meeting of the town Oct. 
 13, 1792, it was voted to give him a new call for settlement, 
 but this vote was never carried into effect. This was the 
 last effort on the part of the town to settle a minister. Mr. 
 Church has always been spoken of as a good and useful 
 minister ; and near the close of his labors here he had the 
 satisfiiction of witnessing several cases of hopeful conversion. 
 This revival was an important crisis i)i the history of the 
 church, as it now began to rouse itself from the deadness of 
 the old Arminian faith. From 1791 to ISOO, the church 
 and town had no settled minister, and only occasional sup- 
 plies ; but meetings, conducted by the deacons, were regu- 
 larly and fully attended on the Babbath. In 1799 there 
 were a number of hopeful conversions. Dca. Evans of 
 Hebron, a devoted Christian, occasionally came and visited 
 from house to house, and assisted in conducting the meet- 
 ings. 
 
 In 1800 Rev, Pelatiah Chapin was invited to preach. He 
 refused to be installed as pastor, saying, that he was like hia 
 horse which would certainly break loose if he were tied, but 
 would stand untied any length of time. This expression 
 may be regarded as characteristic of the man. He could 
 preach ably and talk strangely. In 1805 he avowed the sen- 
 timents of the close communion Baptists, and formed a 
 church of that order to which he preached more or less for 
 several years. This was the only proper schism that has 
 ever occurred in this church. Several important members 
 went with him, and much bitterness was engendered. Mr. 
 Chapin possessed some excellent traits of character with 
 some that were less desirable. He was an earnest preacher 
 
CAMPTON. 519 
 
 and a zealous partisan. His miuislry was not accompanied 
 largely by the influences of the Spirit. Mr. Chapin was the 
 first to occupy the east Congregational Meeting-house, whicli 
 was raised in 1799 and finislied in 1802. 
 
 The next minister was Rev. Daniel Staniford, who was 
 employed as a stated supply for one year, commencing in 
 the fall of 1806. It was during his ministry that the church 
 adopted a new creed and covenant, which with some abridge- 
 ment have continued ever since. From 1807 to 1810 the 
 church was again without the preached gospel, but did not 
 fail to hold meetings on the Sabbath. During this and 
 other intervals, the ordinances of baptism and the supper 
 were administered occasionally by some neighboring minis- 
 ter. In 1810 Dr. Kitridge, formerly a physician, supplied 
 one year. In February 1812, Eev. John Webber was in- 
 stalled, and was dismissed March 2.3, 1815. A large propor- 
 tion of Mr. Webber's preaching pertained to the Abrahamic 
 covenant, accompanied with severe thrusts at the close com- 
 munion system. He is thought to have been decidedly an 
 Armiuian. He was charged with many imprudences, and 
 his course was fitted to render him unpopular as a minister. 
 
 During the summer after Mr. Webber's dismission, indi- 
 cations of a work of grace appeared, and during the fall and 
 winter, the Spirit was poured out in a wonderful manner. 
 This was one of the most remarkable revivals that any little 
 church ever enjoyed, resulting in the hopeful conversion of 
 about a hundred persons. Let it be remembered that the 
 church was without a pastor ; was small and feeble, with 
 only six resident male members ; was surrounded with ob- 
 stacles, and almost overwhelmed with discouragements ; 
 that it was chiefly confined to the east side of the river, or 
 to about one half of the town ; and that a large portion of 
 the people of this half, but a short time previous, had with- 
 drawn and given their supj)ort to another church, and who 
 will not wonder at the greatness of the work ! But after 
 the work commenced, help was obtained. A licentiate, who 
 was a student in theology under Professor Shurtlefi' at Han- 
 over, by the name of Warren Day, was employed to preach, 
 and his labors were signally blessed. Eev. Mr. McKeen of 
 Bradford, Vt., Eev. Mr. Hovey of Piermont, and Eev. Mr. 
 Fairbank of Plymouth, rendered important aid. Some of 
 the converts, too, were like ministers. Thus God remem- 
 bered his covenant, and blessed the fidelity of those praying 
 souls who so steadfastly maintained the worship of God on 
 the Sabbath, in times of darkness and destitution. The 
 church was now greatly strengthened. The additions soon 
 
520 GEAFTON COUNTY. 
 
 made, as shown by the records, amount to about seventy, 
 and the whole church numbered nearly one hundred. 
 
 In 1816 Mr. Amos P. Brown j^reached as a candidate. — 
 Mr. Brown had not received a liberal education, but had 
 studied theology with Dr. Wood of Boscawen, and is spoken 
 of as a devoted Christian minister. He was ordained as pas- 
 tor, Jan. 1, 1817. But some dissatisflxction arising, he asked 
 a dismission, which was effected June 26, 1822. During his 
 ministry the land pertaining to the present parsonage, con- 
 sisting of 12 or 14 acres, was given by Col. Samuel Holmes, 
 not a member of the church, together with sixty dollars for 
 building a house. The old men contributed to build the 
 house, and the young men the barn. Col. Holmes also gave 
 the board of the workmen on the buildings. 
 
 The next minister was Jonathan L. Hale, who was settled 
 June 23, 1824. Mr. Hale was settled under flattering pros- 
 pects. The Congregational people on the west side of the 
 river, who had for the most part attended meeting at Plym- 
 outh, now formed themselves into a society called the Second 
 Congregational society, removed their relation to tlie church 
 in Campton, and in 1824 built their present Meeting-house. 
 Meetings were held at either house, according to the propor- 
 tion contributed by each for the support of the gospel. A 
 bridge was also built across the river by private subscription, 
 for the accommodation of the religious community. No 
 church seemed more happy or prosperous than this, while 
 thus united under tlie ministry of Mr. Hale. No sooner was 
 the new Meeting-house dedicated, than God appeared to fill 
 it with his glory. It was a time of refreshing ; 50 or 60 
 were reckoned as converts ; 27 were added to the church dur- 
 ing that sumnrer, and a few afterwards. In June, 1831, a 
 protracted meeting of three days was held with good results. 
 The following is the record : "A number, about the time of 
 the meeting and since, have indulged hope ; 20 have united 
 ■ndth the church. Others will, it is probable, when the church 
 shall be in a proper state to receive members." Mr. Hale was 
 a faithful and laborious minister ; more efficient as a pastor 
 than as a preacher or a discijdinarian ; kind and affectionate, 
 rather than discriminating and forcible. But, in time, diffi- 
 culties grew up out of a case of discipline, which divided the 
 church into two parties called the minority and majority, 
 and which threatened to destroy its peace. Perhaps these 
 difficulties were one cause, though probably not the only 
 cause, of Mr. Hale's dismission, April 18, 1832. 
 
 The next minister was Kev. Benj. P. Stone, D.D. He 
 was installed June 12, 1833. The time of his settlement 
 
CAMPTON. 521 
 
 was limited to five years. During this period, the former 
 difficiilties were apparently removed, and the church again 
 enjoyed a good degree of harmony and spiritual prosperity. 
 About 30 were added to the church during his ministry, 
 some of them being the fruits of former revivals, but most 
 of them new converts. Being called to the ser\ace of the 
 N. H. Home Missionary Society, he obtained dismission Sept. 
 11, 1837. 
 
 The next minister was Eev. Thomas P. Beach, ordained 
 Feb. 21, 1838. Now commence the dark and perilous scenes 
 which try men's souls, and which it is painful ever to record. 
 Indications of the approach of a moral tem^iest were discov- 
 ered several months before the awful outburst. At length 
 came an overwhelming freshet, sweeping before it the drift- 
 wood that had accumulated in the church and societies. — 
 Mr. Beach was hastily settled, a call being made to him 
 after one Sabbath's preaching, and his answer given at the 
 second. But his settlement was obtained not without hesi- 
 tation, on the part of the council. He had no certificate of 
 church membership, and none of regular permission to 
 preach. He had been permitted to hold meetings in Wolf- 
 borough, then a destitute place, and to act the part of an 
 exhorter for one year only. Of this he took advantage to 
 call himself a licentiate, and as such was employed for a 
 time by the Home Missionary Society. In respect to his 
 examination as made known by members of the council, we 
 gay nothing. In respect to the way in which he was first 
 introduced to this church, we would also be silent. Mr. 
 Beach was an abolitionist of the Go.rrison school. The top- 
 ics of abolition, war and temperance were foremost with him. 
 With these subjects he was familiar, and on these he could 
 speak with considerable power. In March 1841, when sev- 
 eral of the church had learned what his character and con- 
 duct had been, previous to liis ordination, and were also 
 discovering new evidences of his unfitness as a minister of 
 Christ, charges were preferred against liim before the church. 
 They were fully sustained. At this time he abandoned the 
 church, at least the majority, as a band of miscreants, pub- 
 licly proclaimed his withdrawment of fellowship, renounced 
 the pulpit and his own ordination, and took his stand on 
 the floor with the assembly ; denounced the institutions of 
 the church, the Sabbath and the ministry, together with all 
 the several benevolent associations which are sustained by 
 the church ; denied the inspiration of the Scriptures, and 
 advocated infidel sentiments in a most unscrupulous man- 
 ner. He came not to all these results at a single bound, 
 34 
 
522 GRAFTON COUNTY. 
 
 but step by stej), and in the course of a few months. In 
 May he sent to the church his withdrawment of fellowsliip, 
 the language of which is very temperate, compared with 
 wliat he was accustomed afterwards to use : " To the major- 
 ity of the members of the Congregational church in Camp- 
 ton, who attended the church meeting when the charge was 
 sustained against the pastor, which D. Willey brought. — 
 Dear Brethren, — Having long considered the step I am 
 about to take, as positively required of me by the Spirit of 
 the gospel, viz., to reprove iniquity, by renouncing fellow- 
 ship with the wrong-doers ; and having long labored to con- 
 vince you of your unchristian position in regard to the pre- 
 vailing sins of this time, such as slavery, war, and intemper- 
 ance ; and especially your errors in respect to the spirit 
 enjoined by the good shepherd, in restoring errant members 
 of the flock — having done this publicly and privately, and 
 j'ct having failed to win you to the spirit and duties of 
 Christianity ; I hereby declare, that I can no longer recognize 
 you as a church of Christ, and before God, angels and men, 
 I do solemnly record my entire renunciation of fellowship 
 with you as disciples of the Lord Jesus, till you bring forth 
 fruits meet for repentance. Fervently praying that God 
 will give you repentance to the acknowledging of the truth, 
 and obedience of the faith as it is in Jesus, I remain your 
 servant for Jesus' sake. T. P. Beach. Campton, May 23, 
 1841." 
 
 In July, a council was called to advise the church as to 
 its proper course, and in August another council was called, 
 by which he was deposed from the ministry on five charges, 
 in substance, as follows : — first, refusing to administer the 
 Lord's Supper to the church ; second, withdrawing fellowship 
 from a majority of the church in a written communication ; 
 third, fomenting divisions in the church ; fourth, avowed 
 contempt of ecclesiastical authority ; fifth, certain other 
 offences, not necessary to be recorded here. Mr. Beach was 
 excommunicated from the church soon after the session of 
 this council. He was now at liberty to act the part of a 
 come-outer. He fully improved his opjiortunity. Arrests 
 here and there, and imprisonment were the consequences. — 
 Long continued excitement and acts of extravagance tended 
 to break his constitution, and thus he found an early grave. 
 The settlement of this man in the ministry was a great 
 calamity to this church and community. He carried with 
 him about a third part of the members of the church, most 
 of whom subjected themselves to excision. The effects of 
 his influence, together with the accompanying defection, will 
 probably not cease during the present generation, at least. 
 
CAMPTON. 523 
 
 We are liappy to learn, that, after Mr. Beach left New 
 England, and went to Akron in the State of Ohio, where he 
 engaged in teaching and was successful in that avocation — on 
 reviewing his career at Canipton, his views and feelings un- 
 derwent a great and very desirable change. More than once 
 he remarked to his wife, in speaking of what he had said and 
 done at Campton, " it does seem as though I must have 
 been craz}'." It always seemed painful to him to allude to 
 the subject — but he did allude to it occasionally, and with 
 sorrow. He became a constant attendant on the ministry 
 of an orthodox Congregational clergyman, the Kev. Wm. 
 Jennings, and was on intimate terms with him. Had he 
 lived, there can be no doubt he would have communicated 
 with the church at Campton, and done what he coirld to un- 
 do the evil that folloAved his erratic course there. His death 
 was sudden. Feeling a' little indisposed, he gave up his 
 school for a few days for rest. With his wife he visited his 
 brother, a physician, in Sharon, ten miles from Akron, but 
 was soon taken worse, the disease settling in his head, de- 
 priving him of reason, and soon terminating in death. One 
 week irom the day he left his school, he was buried. 
 
 The next and last minister is Kev. Charles Shedd, ordain- 
 ed March 24, 1842. He was upon the ground a short time 
 after the meeting of the council that dejtosed his predecessor. 
 The church needed a guide. They were just coming out ot 
 Egypt, but the great and terrible wilderness was before 
 them. No pastor could flatter himself with the hope of ease 
 or of immediate success. The language of faith was, " Here 
 is a living church which the great Head has wondertully 
 preserved, and will continue to conduct through all trials." 
 The members now clung together, and prejiared themselves 
 for the work of discipline. Their strength had been greatly 
 reduced, a third part at least of the members of the body 
 being deeply, and in most eases, fatally diseased. Limb 
 after limb was severed. Twenty one persons were separated 
 from the church, as the direct consec^uence of the defection. 
 Of these only two have been restored on confession. 
 
 But better things were in store. During the winter of 
 184G-7, there were indications of the Spirit's work, and a 
 few were hopefully renewed, seven of whom were admit- 
 ted to the church a few months afterwards. But the 
 church did not then seem prepared for a revival. Obstacles 
 still existed, and there were only occasional accessions, till 
 the summer and fall of 1852. It was now a time of prayer. 
 The language of Christians indicated wrestling and agony. 
 Many anticipated a revival. At the communion on the first 
 
524 GEAFTON COUNTY. 
 
 Sabbath in January 1853, four were admitted to the church. 
 It was a solemn season, never to be forgotten. The work 
 then began with power. The Tuesday following was the 
 day apjiointed for the pastoral visit. One hundred assem- 
 bled, nearly all of them youth. The Holy Spirit was there. 
 Convicted sinners were there. In the evening a few remarks 
 were made touching the present religious interest. It seem- 
 ed like Pentecost. It was literally a Bochim. Some sank 
 upon their seats overwhelmed with emotion, and were 
 unwilling to leave the house, till they were conversed and 
 prayed with. They came again at an early hour the next 
 morning, and found peace. The work proceeded with great 
 stillness, and was supposed at the time to embrace 60 or 70 
 persons. Twenty seven have united with this church, sev- 
 eral with other churches, and others have yet made no pro- 
 fession. The interest continued about two years, extending 
 into some of the remotest parts of the town. It is proper 
 here to notice those remarkable days of fasting and prayer 
 which were observed by the church, and the effect of them. 
 The pastor asked permission to appoint such days whenever 
 he thought proper ; and this was when he discovered that 
 the work began to flag and needed a new impulse. Such 
 appointments were made and observed several times ; and, 
 invariahhj, the effect was most striking in the occurrence of 
 new cases of conviction and conversion. Since March 1842, 
 40 have been admitted to the church by ]3rofession, and 
 eight by letter. The whole number at present is about 80. 
 On account of the loss of the early records of the church, it 
 is impossible to present other desirable facts. The Congre- 
 gational ministers raised in this town, and formerly members 
 of this church, are John Clark, Christopher Marsh, John 
 Worcester, Daniel Pulsifer, Leonard Rogers, Isaac Willey, 
 Worcester Willey, and Samuel H. Willey, aU still living. 
 
 CANAAN. 
 
 Rev. M. Gerodld. 
 
 In 1795, four individuals, of Congregational faith and or- 
 der, residing in Canaan, became connected with the church 
 in East Hanover, under the pastoral care of Rev. Dr. Bur- 
 roughs. In 1799, he came to Canaan, accompanied by one 
 of his deacons, and, after a public lecture, these four persons 
 and nine others entered into covenant relation ; and this was 
 then constituted a hranch of the Hanover church, and for 
 
CANAAN. 525 
 
 the first time had administered to them the sacrament of 
 the Lord's Supper. From this period until 1803, Dr. Bur- 
 roughs occasionally visited this branch of his church, preach- 
 ed the gospel, and administered the ordinances, taking with 
 him a deacon to ofiiciate on such occasions. In the spring 
 of 1803 a meeting was held, at a school-house on " South 
 Eoad," by him and Eev. Mr. Dickinson of Mcriden, when 
 those who composed a branch of the Hanover church were 
 constituted Tlie Congregational Church of Canaan, by adopt- 
 ing a Confession of Faith and Covenant, and choosing Mr. 
 Pillsbury their deacon. Soon after this, a Kev. Mr, Cleve- 
 land, from Connecticut, was employed to labor with them in 
 the gospel for a short time. Then they were supplied occa- 
 sionally by ministers furnished by the N. H. Missionary So- 
 ciety, through whose iniiuence the church became gradually, 
 though slowly, increased. In the winter of 1804-5, there was 
 some special religious interest, wliich brought a few into the 
 church. From about this time, they had only occasional 
 jDreaching by missionaries and others, until 1814, when a Mr. 
 Eolfe was employed one half of the time for that year and a 
 part of the next, and the church had now increased to some 
 thirty members. Only brief periods of preaching were en- 
 joyed after this, with long intervals between, and this kindly 
 furnished by the N. H. Missionary Society, until February, 
 1821. Then the Eev. Charles Calkins was employed con- 
 stantly for some eighteen months, with favorable results : 
 for, it is believed that his faithful preaching, kind and af- 
 tectionate intercourse with the people, did much to awaken 
 the desire for a permanent ministry. 
 
 Eelying upon a religious society organized here in 1819, 
 and aid from the Missionary Society, they made an etFort in 
 1824 to secure a pastor. An invitation was extended to Mr. 
 Amos Foster of Hanover, and a graduate of Dartmouth col- 
 lege, to assume this responsibility, and become their relig- 
 ious teacher. After suitable trial, and mutual satisfaction. 
 he was ordained March 2, 1825, under favorable auspices. 
 He secured the confidence and aflections of the church, and 
 peojjle generall)', in a high degree, and labored with success 
 for nearly nine years. Under his ministry a revival of con- 
 siderable interest, and very favorable results, was enjoyed ; 
 and during his stay 47 were added to the church by profes- 
 sion and 13 by letter, giving much important strength to 
 this, before, feeble branch of our Zion. At his own request, 
 and with much reluctance on the part of the church, his 
 connection was dissolved Jan. 2, 1833. 
 
 In March Eev. Edward C. Fuller was invited to assume 
 
526 
 
 GRAFTON COUNTY. 
 
 the ministerial and pastoral relation, and was ordained the 
 1st of Maj^, 1833. But his ministry fell on " troublous 
 times ;" for, near its close, a very general excitement was 
 produced, — by an attempt on the part of some to introduce 
 colored students into the academy of the place, and the oppo- 
 sition to this movement by others, — which resulted in the re- 
 moval of the academy building from the site it occupied to 
 another position, breaking up the school and greatly affect- 
 ing the interests of the church ; for numbers soon after, and 
 mainly in consequence of this movement, left the place, there- 
 by weakening the hands and discouraging the hearts of those 
 who remained. But though cast down, they were not de- 
 stroyed. Having so long enjoyed a preached gospel and its 
 ordinances, they were imwilling to be deprived of them. Af- 
 ter Mr. Fuller left, wliich was in February, 1836, Eev. Liba 
 Conant was employed as a candidate. He was installed Feb. 
 22, 1837. During his ministry, quite a number were added 
 to the church Ijy profession and by letter. Mr. Conant and 
 wife were both highly esteemed by the people generally, and 
 on his dismissal and removing from the place in the spring of 
 1845, they left many warm friends. Soon after this, Eev. 
 Heman Eood was employed for one year, in connection with 
 teaching a part of the time in the academy. But no special 
 interest being awakened, and the people becoming discour- 
 aged, he left before the expiration of the year. From 1846 to 
 1851 they were wholly destitute of a preached gospel, except 
 perhaps occasionally a Sabbath. In consequence of this, 
 and from other causes, the church became so reduced that 
 at one time it was reported as extinct. This however was 
 not the tact, though it became exceedingly low. 
 
 In the summer of 1851, Eev. Henry Wood proposed to 
 preach to them on the Sabbath, a whole year, for a small 
 compensation, while he occupied the editorial chair of the 
 Congregational Journal. Having done this, his services 
 were engaged and rendered another year; and in this time, 
 through his influence and witli the aid of friends and church- 
 es from abroad, their Meeting-house, which had become 
 greatly defaced by the hand of time, was thoroughly repaired 
 within and without, and re-dedicated July 10, 1853. Grati- 
 tude is due Mr. Wood for this effort. 
 
 Immediately after this, Eev. Mr. Gerould was employed 
 by the N. H. Missionary Society to labor with them four Sab- 
 baths. At tlie expiration of this period the church and peo- 
 ple invited him to locate with them and become their perma- 
 nent minister. Providential circumstances seeming to favor, 
 he consented to do so, and removed here the 7th of October 
 
DANBUET. 527 
 
 following. By his eiforts the scattered remnants of the 
 church have been gathered up, and, such as were disposed, re- 
 organized, under a revised confession of faith and covenant, 
 Sept. 25, 1853, embracing 8 males and 15 females — 23 in aU. 
 To these, additions have been made, mostly by letter, but 
 still the present number is only 37. By the blessing of God 
 we hope to live, and extend the precious influences of the 
 gospel, until many shall be brought into this sacred inclosure 
 who will eventually experience a joyful transition to the 
 glorious church above. 
 
 DANBURY.* 
 
 Rev. Daniel Goodhue. 
 
 The first settlement in the town of Danbury was made 
 1771, and the town was incorporated 1796, being originally 
 a part of Alexandria. Some of the first settlers were from 
 Rowley, Ms. and Hampton, N. H., whose descendants can 
 trace their lineage back to the time of the Plymouth Pil- 
 grims. The settlers in the south eastern part of the town 
 were of a decidedly religious character. As illustrative of 
 the simple hearted piety and conscientiousness of some of 
 them, it is worthy to be recorded, that the first night a pious 
 couple, by the name of Taylor, entered their forest cabin, 
 as they were about to offer praise and prayer to their God 
 and their father's God, they were distressed by discovering 
 that they had lost their Bible or left it behind. Unwilling 
 to retire to rest without reading the Bible, any more than 
 without prayer, the good woman searched till she found 
 among their furniture one single leaf of the iwecious volume, 
 — reading this they bowed the knee with grateful and con- 
 fiding hearts at the throne of grace. This they continued 
 to do every morning and evening, reading over and over that 
 precious leaf whose value to them was more than silver or 
 gold, until they could and did procure a Bible. 
 
 The first settlers in this part of the town sustained public 
 worship for several years, in connection with the adjoining 
 town of Alexandria, where a Congregational church was 
 organized about the year 1788, over which Rev. Enoch 
 Whipple was settled at the time of its organization. In 
 the year 1800, four of the first settlers in Danbury living in 
 this part of town — members of Mr. Whipple's church, which 
 church afterward became extinct — viz : Anthony Taylor, 
 
 * Sketch by Rev. D. Pulsifer, former patter. 
 
528 
 
 GRAFTON COUNTY. 
 
 Jonathan Clark, Joshua Jackson and one female, and three 
 females living in New Chester, now Hill, formed themselves 
 into a branch of the Congregational church in Salisbury, 
 under the pastoral care of" Eev. Thomas Worcester. They 
 enjoyed but little preaching in their own town, only what 
 Mr. Worcester could occasionally supply. They statedly 
 held meetings among themselves on the Sabbath, also a 
 stated monthly meeting, and usually a weekly meeting on 
 some week day. Occasionally male and female members 
 would all attend meeting at Salisbury, walking, or riding on 
 horseback fifteen or sixteen miles over new and bad roads, 
 often returning the same day, though they frequently luent 
 on Sattivday. 
 
 A distinct church was formed Jan. 29, 1809, by their 
 adopting the articles of faith and covenant of the Salisbury 
 church. It consisted often resident members. After this the 
 church struggled along, statedly holding reading meetings on 
 the Sabbath, having preaching occasionally, until the year 
 1812. This year Eev. Mr. Kolfe, of Groton, supplied them a 
 part of the time, and nine were added to the church. After 
 this year they continued to keep up their meetings on the 
 Sabbath, hiring what preaching they could till the year 1823. 
 From this time to 1826, Mr. John S. Winter, who was pre- 
 paring for the ministry, assisted them in their meetings on the 
 Sabbath. In 1826, Mr. Winter having entered the ministry, 
 the church and society, with the help of the New Hampshire 
 Missionary Society, hired him one half of the time for five 
 years. In 1828, they built a small Meeting-house located 
 in the easterly part of the town. In this house it is believ- 
 ed that the power and goodness of God were repeatedly 
 manifested, in the conversion of sinners to the truth and sal- 
 vation of the gospel. The fall of 1831 was a time of revival. 
 In November a protracted meeting was held, which proved 
 a blessing to the people. In this and the following year, 
 19 were added to the church by profession and letter. At 
 the close of the year 1832, Rev. Mr. Winter left this little 
 flock, gathered among the hills, and removed to Bristol. — 
 After this Eev. James Hobart supplied them one half of the 
 time for two years. Then they were supplied a portion of 
 the time for two or thr-ee years by Eev. Mr. Turner, Eev. 
 Mr. Woodard and others. During all this time they kept 
 up a Sabbath School with interest, and reading meetings on 
 the Sabbath when destitute of preaching. In 1836 this 
 church formed themselves into a temperance society. 
 
 January 1, 1840, Eev. Daniel Pulsifer commenced preach- 
 ing in Danbury one half of the time for one year. Near the 
 
DORCHESTER. 529 
 
 close of tliis year he removed his family to this town, and 
 supplied them till the close of the year 1849. In 1843 this 
 church and people were visited with an interesting revival 
 of religion, and about thirty were added to the church by 
 profession and letter. The next spring Mr. Pulsifer was in- 
 stalled pastor of the church. During the ten years that he 
 preached in Danbury, there was uniformly a good congrega- 
 tion, a flourishing Sabbath School, and occasional additions 
 to the church, besides those added as fruits of the revival in 
 1843. Mr. Pulsifer was dismissed near the close of 1849, and 
 left the town in the spring of 1850. This year the church 
 and society enjoyed but Httle preaching. ]3ut during the 
 years 1851 and 1852 they were supplied by Kev. Nathan 
 Howard. Two were added to the church. During the year 
 1853 Rev. Henry Wood supplied them a part of the time. 
 
 A new Meeting-house was dedicated March 1, 1855, and 
 Eev. D. Goodhue was installed pastor the next day. And 
 it is earnestly to be hoped that the glory of this latter house 
 may far exceed that of the former. There have been added 
 to this church, since its organization, 113 members. There 
 have been 114 baptisms, — infant baptisms 85 — adult bap- 
 tisms 29. There has been one excommunication. At the 
 present time the church consists of 50 members. Of tliis 
 number 13 are non-resident. 
 
 DORCHESTER.* 
 
 In November 1827, Rev. Increase S. Davis visited Dor- 
 chester, and, without any special request or prospect of com- 
 jiensation, spent four weeks there. There was no Congrega- 
 tional church in town. Mr. Davis immediately commenced 
 visiting from house to house, and preaching evenings. On 
 the first Sabbath after his arrival he held a meeting at the 
 Methodist Meeting-house, and the people turned out abun- 
 dantly to hear the stranger. On that first Sabbath Grod 
 was pleased to pour out his Spirit upon the people, and a 
 work of grace commenced. He continued visiting and 
 preaching evenings, and on the Sabbath, in school-houses, 
 and private houses for nine weeks to crowded assemblies. — 
 He then went to Massachusetts for his familiy, and, after 
 two weeks absence, commenced his labors again and contin- 
 ued them about five years. A goodly number were hopeful- 
 ly converted, and it was thought desirable by neighboring 
 
 •Sketch by Rev. D. Pnlnifer. 
 
530 GEAFTON COUNTY. 
 
 ministers that a Congregational church should be formed. — 
 Accordingly May 20, 1828, a church was constituted by the 
 assistance of an ecclesiastical council. It embraced niiie 
 members, three males and six females — five uniting on pro- 
 fession of their faith, and four by letter from other churches. 
 The people generally being prejudiced against what they 
 termed the "standing order," many of the hopeful converts 
 united with the Baptists and Methodists. About this time 
 Mr. Davis offered to aid the people to the amount of $400, 
 if they would build a Meeting-house. This they accepted, 
 and built a house at an expense of about $1500. This 
 house was dedicated Oct. 9, 1828, and Mr. Davis was 
 ordained pastor of the church the same day. His friends in 
 Massachusetts assisted him in making out the $ 400. Dr. 
 Codman of Dorchester, Ms., paid $100; Mr. Da\ds' mother, 
 of Newton, Ms., paid $100; Messrs. Holmes & Homer of 
 Boston gave the communion set, and Mr. Ira Cheevcr of 
 Salem, Ms., gave the large Bible for the desk. Additions 
 have been made to the church from time to time, but prob- 
 ably the number has never exceeded 20 or 25 at any one 
 time. The location of the Meeting-house gave dissatisfac- 
 tion to about half of the people, and they built another 
 house, which caused such division of feeling that Mr. Davis 
 thought it his duty to leave them at the expiration of five 
 years. After Mr. Davis left, their beautiful Meeting-house 
 was destroyed by fire. In the summer or early in the fall of 
 1836, Eev. John LeBosquet commenced preaching in Dor- 
 chester. He left sometime the following year. The whole 
 number that have ever been connected with this church is 
 not id.\ from fifty, about half of whom were received by let- 
 ter from other churches. Whole number of baptisms about 
 forty — of wliich fourteen were adults. Since 1827 and '28 
 there has not been any considerable revival, though there 
 have been frequent additions. At the present time the 
 church consists of fifteen members — five males and ten 
 females. Kev. Daniel Pulsifer preached in this town one- 
 half of the time for a year, from the first of May 1854, to 
 attentive congregations, respectable for numbers. What is 
 to be the future condition of this little church, God only 
 knows. ! that He would build them up in the purity 
 and order of the gospel. 
 
KNFIELD. 531 
 
 ENFIELD.* 
 
 It is stated in the New Hampsliire Gazetteer, that Eev. 
 Edward Evans was the tirst minister of the Congregatii^nal 
 church in Enfiehl. This is not correct. Mr. Evans was 
 the first settkxl minister in EnfieU, being settled Decem- 
 ber 1799, by a small council of Congregational ministers, 
 (Rev. Mr. Burroughs of Hanover, and Rev. Mr. Page ot 
 Hebron,) and obtained the land in the town appropriated 
 to the benefit of the first settled minister. Mr. Evans was 
 dismissed 1805, but continued to preach in the town a num- 
 ber of years longer. He was quite popular, and collected a 
 church of not far from one hundred members. But Mr. 
 Evans was not an orthodox Congregationalist, nor was his 
 church an orthodox church of that order. Aged pe"])le who 
 knew him well, sa}', that in sentiment he was alu-fnjs a 
 Methodist, and no one of his church ever rmited with the 
 Congregational church, subsequently organized in Enfield, 
 — and so far as is known, with any other Congregational 
 church. After a while Mr. Evans discontinued the duties 
 of the clerical office ; directed his attention more to civil 
 and political affairs ; was appointed Judge of Probate, which 
 office he filled for several years, — but eventually left the 
 town. His church became extinct. 
 
 The only real Congregational church in the town of En- 
 field was organized May 30, 1826, consisting of 14 mem- 
 bers, all of whom, or nearly all, belonged to the family of 
 Col. Benjamin Choate, or were connected with that family 
 by marriage. Of this church Nathan Choate and Geoi'ge 
 W. Fifield were appointed the first deacons, June 27, 1826. 
 From 1827 to 1838, 21 were added to the church, and Rev. 
 S. Arnold, Amos Foster, Hobart, Langley and John Clark, 
 suppjlied them a part of the time. In 1836 the church pur- 
 chased one-half of the new Meeting-house erected near the 
 center of the town. 
 
 In the spring of the year 1839, Mr. Benjamin Purge, 
 from Lane Seminary, Ohio, commenced his ministerial labors 
 in this town. The next year, the church invited Mr. 
 Burge to become their pastor. Mr. Burge accepted the 
 invitation, and was ordained and installed over this church, 
 July 1, 1840. Mr. Burge requested a dismission in 1845. 
 A council was called, and assembled March 18. The coun- 
 cil advised to a continuance of the pastoral relation. Mr. 
 Burge continued pastor of the church until February 1848, 
 
 • Sketch by Rev. D. Pulsifer. 
 
532 GRAFTON COUNTY. 
 
 when he was dismissed on account of the failure of his health. 
 He died at Enfield Sept. 3d of the same year, after a minis- 
 try of ahont nine years. Mr. Burge was a good man. His 
 talents and acquirements were very respectable, and wholly 
 consecrated to tlie service of his Divine Master. He loved 
 the cause of Christ and felt a deep interest in the salvation 
 of souls. His example was pure and healtlrful. He had a 
 good report of them that were without, as well as of them 
 that were within the church. In 1849 Eev. Noah Emerson 
 labored with this church and people for one year. Subse- 
 quently Mr. Allen, of the theological seminary at Andover, 
 Ms., performed a mission among them of some four or sis 
 weeks. In 1843 Rev. Daniel "Pulsifer supplied them one 
 year from the first of April. The whole number that ever 
 united 'svith this church is 44 — 17 males and 27 females. — 
 By removals and deaths this church is reduced to 17 mem- 
 bers. Six or seven of these are quite aged, — some between 
 eighty and ninety years of age. May the Lord pour water 
 upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground. 
 
 FPvANCONIA.* 
 
 This town was incorporated Feb. 14, 1764. The Congre- 
 gational church was constituted in April, 1814, by the Rev. 
 Asa Carpenter, of Waterford, Vt., and the Eev. Samuel God- 
 dard, of Concord, Vt., of seven members. No church pre- 
 viously existed here, of any order. The most of the first set- 
 tlers are said to have been Calvinistic Baptist, and united 
 with a church of this order organized in Lisbon. Subse- 
 quently tliis church became a Freewill Bajjtist church. It 
 is stated that tlie town, as a town, never took any action as 
 to sustaining the gospel in tlie place. The first settlers are 
 not known to have made many sacrifices for the support of 
 the gospel. It is supposed that some of the missionaries 
 and ministers who supplied the people at Bethlehem, also 
 supplied the people in this town to some extent. After the 
 organization of the church it was fav<jred occasionally with 
 missionary labor. When without preaching, the church was 
 accustomed to hold religious meetings upon the Sabbath. 
 
 This church has had two settled ministers. [See account 
 of Bethlehem.] The Rev. Charles W. Richardson supplied 
 this church and people one -half of the time for five years, 
 before the ordination of the first pastor. The Rev. Mr. Esty 
 
 » Skelch by Rev. Thomas Hall. 
 
HANOVER. 533 
 
 supplied tlicm one half of the time for five years between the 
 dismission of the first, and the settlement of the second pas- 
 tor. This chnrch has "no parsonage, or fnnds for the support 
 of the gospel. The average attendance upon public worship 
 is not tar from 125. This is the estimate for both societies 
 worshiping in the same house, Congregationalist and Free- 
 will Baptist. But a small proportion of the j^opulation of 
 the town belong to the Congregational order. Tlio whole 
 number of persons who have united with the church up to 
 the present time is 78. No one has been furnished for the 
 ministry of any order from this town. 
 
 There is no record of any revival of religion in the place. 
 There have been several seasons of more or less refresliing 
 from on high, during which more or less were hopefully con- 
 verted to God. The most of the fruits of these seasons of 
 refreshings united with the Freewill Baptists. They have 
 more than a hundred members. The Congregational cliurcli 
 is very small. There are only three resident male members. 
 
 HANOVEE. 
 
 CnuRcH AT Daktmouth College.— Rev. John Riciiabbs, D.D. 
 
 The church at Dartmouth College was organized as a 
 Congregational church July 2, 1805, by Kev. Isaiah Potter 
 of Lebanon, Rev. Asa Burton, D.D. of Thetford, Vt., and 
 Eev. Sylvester Dana of Orford. Twenty two persons, pro- 
 fessors of religion, presented themselves and were constitut- 
 ed a church, under the title of "The Congregational Church 
 at Dartmouth College." Caleb Fuller and Benoni Dewey 
 were chosen deacons. Prof Shurtleff, who filled the chair 
 of Theology in the College, was invited to discharge the 
 duties of preacher and of pastor, so far as his other duties 
 might permit. In 1809 he was ordained evangelist at 
 Lyme. He continued in these relations until the year 1827, 
 when, upon his resignation by reason of a severe aft'ection of 
 the lungs, he was succeeded by Rev. George Howe as pro- 
 fessor of Theology in the CoUege and preacher to the con- 
 gregation. Prof Howe resigned in 1830. In the year 1831, 
 Oct. 5, Rev. Robert Page was installed as pastor over the 
 church, and dismissed May 9, 1833. Rev. Henry Wood 
 was installed pastor March 8, 1835, and was dismissed Dec. 
 21, 1840. Jan. 10, 1841, Rev. John Richards was invited 
 to preach as stated supply, and was installed pastor April 
 2, 1842. Public worship has always been held by the citi- 
 
534 GRAFTON COUNTY. 
 
 zens and students in common, first in the College Chapel, 
 and afterwards in the Meeting-house. The students who 
 have made puhlic profession of religion while in College, 
 have not usually joined this church, preferring to unite with 
 churclies at home. The present nunilx-r of undergraduates 
 in the college is two hundred and ninety, of whom eighty 
 arc professors of religion. Public worship is held on the 
 Sabbath forenoon, afternoon and evening. A weekly meet- 
 ing of the church is holden on Thursday evening for devo- 
 tional purposes and occasional business. The monthly con- 
 cert of prayer for the spread of the gospel is observed on the 
 ►Sabbath evening nearest the first Monday of the month, 
 and the annual concert of prayer for colleges (m the last 
 Thursday of February. There are on the catalogue of the 
 church 632 names ; of which 22 were added by organization, 
 430 by profession, and 180 by letter from other churches. — 
 One hundred and twenty eight have died while coimected 
 with tliis church, 225 have Ijeen dismissed to other churches, 
 and 25 have been excommunicated. The present whole 
 number is 254, (including non-residents, perhaps 50 or 60,) 
 of which 98 are males and 156 females. The additions for 
 the year ending July 1, 1854, were 29 — 24 by profession, 
 and five by letter. 
 
 The first church which existed at Dartmouth College was 
 a Presbyterian church. It was constituted Jan. 23, 1771, 
 of 27 members, by Piev. Eleazer AVheelock, D.D., first Pres- 
 ident of the college. He olficiatetl as pastor till his death, 
 April 24, 1779. This church was composed of members 
 from Hanover, Norwich and Hartford, and public worship 
 was held both in the College Chapel and at the Meeting- 
 house in Hartford, known as the Dothan Meeting-house. — 
 Kev. Sylvanus Kipley, Professor of Theology, succeeded Dr. 
 Wheelock as pastor until November 1782, when Rev. John 
 Smith, D.D. Professor of Languages, was associated with 
 him. Prof Eij^ley died Feb. 5, 1787, from injuries re- 
 ceived by being thrown from a sleigh, at the age of 37. Dr. 
 Smith continued to act as pastor of that church till his 
 death, April 30, 1809, aged 56, — worship being continued 
 hj the Presbyterian church at Hartford only. The change 
 from the Presbyterian to the Congregational form of govern- 
 ment was preceded and attended with bitter dissensions, 
 the results of which were seen in the great controversy 
 between the College and the State in 1816 and '17. Since 
 then no schisms have existed in the church. The Meeting- 
 house at Dartmouth college was built by joint subscription 
 of the college and the citizens, the pews being owned as pri- 
 
HANOVER. 535 
 
 vate property. The house was dedicated November 1796 — 
 sermon by Rev. John Smith, D.D. The building adjacent 
 for occasional meetings and lectures was built in 1839. An 
 organ was first erected July 1852. The congregation is 
 made up almost exclusively of people living within one mile 
 of the Meeting-house, making a population of about 1000. 
 The salary of the minister is paid, half by the college fnjm 
 any funds in the treasury and half by subscriptions of the 
 citizens. In the village is an Episcopal church and society, 
 three miles east a Baptist, and seven miles east the Congre- 
 gational chirrch of Hanover Centre. Other denominations 
 have no visibility. The pojralation of Hanover is about 2500. 
 
 The Burying Yard, a few rods west of the Meeting-house, 
 consisting of one acre, was established in 1771, and the first 
 interment was the body of Eev. John Maltby of Connecticut. 
 In it there have been a httle more than six hundred inter- 
 ments, among which are three Presidents of the College, 
 seven Professors, students, and some Indians, pupils of 
 Moor's charity school. In 1845 this resting place of the 
 dead was enlarged by the addition of seven acres west and 
 north, of remarkably variegated surface. The new part is 
 owned by a corporation called the "Dartmouth Cemetery 
 Association." It is divided into lots 32 feet by 24, which 
 are for sale to individuals — the proceeds being applied to 
 the improvement of the grounds. 
 
 Revivals. — In this respect Dartmouth College has been 
 a favored spot. Dr. Wheelock was a distinguished laborer in 
 the "great awakening" of 1740. He left his parish in Leba- 
 non, Conn., — where he had been a pastor thirty five years and 
 had been an intimate co-laborer with Edwards — in the midst 
 of a revival in August 1769, and came to Hanover with the 
 same spirit. In November following, after the first labors of 
 making the settlement, divine influences descended on his 
 colony of 70 or 80 persons, which were universally felt and 
 whose effects were felt for three years. In 1775 another 
 refreshing was experienced, resulting in the conversion of 
 some, and a general reformation of morals and manners. In 
 November 1781, when the village and college had obtained 
 some magnitude, a revival was experienced under the minis- 
 try of Prof. Ripley of extraordinary power. For the first 
 two months the work of God was still and slow in its prog- 
 ress, but in January it became powerful and universal. In 
 four days upwards of twenty were converted. Besides these 
 a large number of children were judged to be the subjects of 
 renewing grace — in one school 23. In four months 80 were 
 added to the church, from the village, the- college, and 
 
536 GHAFTON COUNTY. 
 
 Moor's charity school. The Triennial Catalogue shows more 
 than half the students in the college at that time as minis- 
 ters of the gospel. A member of this church, now living, 
 describes in glowing terms the surprising power of the work — 
 arresting the attention and suspending the ordinary business 
 of every person, in the contemplation of eternal things. — 
 Week clays were like the Sabbath, and audiences were sol- 
 emn as the grave. 
 
 In 1788, under the ministry of Professor Smith a revival 
 occurred of which few records exist, except that 14 were 
 added to the church. In 1805, under the ministry of Prof. 
 Shurtleff a work of more power was granted. Twenty stu- 
 dents and as many citizens were the subjects of this work. 
 But in 1815, was probably the most extensive and precious 
 revival in the history of this church. The first indication 
 was the serious resolution of Messrs. Temple and Goodale 
 of missionarj' celebrity, together with some other pious stu- 
 dents, that they would every day talk, each with some stu- 
 dent or other person whom tliey judged unconverted, and 
 urge them to Christ. This resolution was carried into effect 
 and the fruits of it soon appeared in the universal religious 
 interest which marked the revival of 1781-2. In one week 
 more than forty expressed jo3'fully the Christian hojie, and 
 in four weeks 60 students and 60 citizens were supposed to 
 be converted. The names of Temple and Cloodale, for the 
 part they took in this work, are precious in the memory of 
 those who survive. In 1819, another revival was enjoyed, 
 with 16 additions to the church — a part of them students. 
 
 In 1821 the Spirit of God again \'isited the church in a 
 work of great power. It commenced in the spring vacation, 
 and when the students returned they were surprised and 
 awed, and constrained to give their undivided attention to 
 divine things. At this season, twenty students and eighty 
 citizens were thought to be subjects of converting grace. In 
 1826 there was another work in which forty persons joined 
 this church, of whom thirteen were students ; and other 
 students were converted who joined elsewhere. " In 1831," 
 says the pastor at that time, "a protracted meeting was 
 held. At the close a considerable number were seriously 
 imj^ressed. Prayer meetings were attended every morning 
 through the summer, and inquiry meetings weekty. There 
 was opposition, but many were inquiring what they must do 
 to be saved. The death of one of the most pious students 
 • — able as he was to talk and give warning to sinners — helped 
 on the work. Between thirty and forty became hopeful sub- 
 jects of grace. A good proportion of these were members 
 
HANOVKE. 537 
 
 of college." In 1834 there was a revival in which it was 
 thought about a hundred persons were converted, of whom one 
 fourth were students. In 1843 a revival occurred during the 
 short winter term, when most of the students were absent. 
 About fifty gave evidence of a change, of whom thirty joined 
 this church. In this work, the Young Ladies' school kept by 
 Mrs. Peabody largely shared. Since then the Lord has added 
 yearly if not daily some, such as we trust will be saved. 
 
 Thus the Lord has smiled on the institution of Dartmouth 
 college in giving oft repeated showers of grace ; and the small 
 population of the village, ranging from five hundred to seven 
 hundred and fifty, its present number, has shared in the 
 blessing. Of the 2889 alumni of the college, one-third have 
 either become ministers of the gospel or are preparing for 
 the sacred ministry. The Triennial of Andover for 1854, 
 exhibits 222 Dartmouth students instructed there, the largest 
 number of any college, and the Annual for 1855 gives the 
 names of 22 then in the Seminary. Other theological sem- 
 inaries show others on their respective catalogues. 
 
 Dr. Wheelock fondly hoped to educate and convert many 
 of the Indians. That hope for the most part ])roved abor- 
 tive, but the Lord guided him to a nobler work in laying foun- 
 dations for the fitting of so great a number of ministers, who 
 should go everywhere preaching the gospel, and of so many 
 who have become pillars and ornaments in the State. He 
 was a man of large views, untiring perseverance, and much 
 unction. The writer has before him a manuscript sermon 
 of his, written on a surface not much larger than one page 
 of letter paper, " On the divine annointing." It reflects 
 much of his sj^irit. There are many names of those who 
 sleep, connected 'tvith this church, of whom it would be a pleas- 
 ure to speak did these limits permit. Jabez Kellogg (Deacon) 
 was a godly man, earnest and assiduous in his Master's ser- 
 vice ; Ebenezer Adams (Professor) was remarkable for his 
 stable, consistent and enduring course, and for his unques- 
 tionable love for Christ and his cause. Mrs. Susanna Smith, 
 wife of Prof. John Smith, was a pattern of affectionate 
 devotedness to the cause of Christ, which gathered daily 
 strength to the end of her long life — Dec. 20, 1845. Mrs. 
 Sarah Chamberlain, wife of Prof Chamberlain, was distin- 
 guished for her Christian intelligence, the warmth of her 
 Christian affections, and her zeal in every Christian work. — 
 Her premature death March 15, 1848, age 47, was a great 
 loss. Jabez Warren who died April 7, 1854, was a pattern 
 of Christian integrity, sustained in the most trying circum- 
 stances — a man who swore to his own hurt and changed not. 
 35 
 
538 GRAFTON COUNTY. 
 
 When Dr. Wheelock came from Congregational Connecti- 
 cut, he found a strong tendency in this region to Presbyte- 
 rian forms. Either at that time or soon after, the Grafton 
 Presbytery was instituted, comprising a dozen or more 
 churches in New Hampshire and Vermont. Dr. Wheelock 
 and his church joined this Presbytery, which from 1800 
 waned and at length died — the churches one after another 
 becoming Congregational. The records of that Presbytery 
 are supposed to have been burnt in the iire Avhich consumed 
 the dwelling of Dr. Burroughs of Hanover Centre. Some- 
 thing concerning it may be found in the controversial pam- 
 phlets of 1815, viz. " Sketches of the History of Dartmouth 
 College," — " True and Concise Narrative of Church Difficul- 
 ties in Hanover," — " Vindication of the official conduct of 
 the Trustees of Dartmouth College," and Freeman's " Kefu- 
 tation of Sundry Aspersions." One relic of that bitter con- 
 troversy, in the nature of a monument, yet remains here in 
 the person of Increase Kimball who, a member of the new 
 church, but taldng sides with the old, then let grow the 
 beard which he stiU wears in testimony of the rigJif. He is 
 stiU a member in good standing of this church — his truly 
 Christian spirit controlling in a wonderful degree the aberra- 
 tions of his intellect, now of forty years standing. Let this 
 testimony to his worth stand in these historical sketches. 
 
 The name of Eleazer Wheelock is indelibly stamped on 
 DartmoiTth College and the chiirch at Dartmouth College. 
 It is proper to close this sketch with the inscription wliich 
 may yet be read on his broken monument in the Dartmouth 
 cemetery. 
 
 Here rests the body of 
 
 ELEAZER WHEELOCK, S. T. D. 
 
 Founder and First President of Dartmouth 
 
 College and Moor's Charity School. By the gospel, he 
 
 subdued the ferocity of the savage, and to 
 
 the civilized he opened new 
 
 paths of science. 
 
 Traveller, Go, if you can, and deserve the 
 
 sublime reward of such merit. He 
 
 was born in the year 1710, 
 
 and died in 1779. 
 
HANOVER. 539 
 
 HANOVER CENTRE.^ 
 
 Rev. A. H. Cutter. 
 
 The town is about six miles square, and by the census of 
 1850 contained a population of 2350, which is less by 300 
 than in 1830. Through the eastern part of the town runs 
 Moose mountain, and four school districts on its eastern ac- 
 clivity are chiefly cut oif from connection with Hanover. 
 
 The early settlers of Hanover were from Windham coun- 
 ty, Conn. Col. Edmund Freeman was the first. He came 
 from Mansfield, Conn., in May, 1765. The settlers took 
 early measures to secure the preaching of the gospel, and to 
 establish it permanently. In 1766 they employed Rev. 
 Knight Saxton, and the place of meeting was a log struc- 
 ture on the Connecticut, five miles north of the college, 
 adjacent to Bush's island, (so called from the owner — the 
 grandfiither of Prof. G-eorge Bush.) The pulpit in this 
 structure was made of the segment of a large hollow bass 
 wood tree. Mr. Saxton preached in the summers of 1766 
 and 1767. By 1772, the people, as a town, had built a 
 Meeting-house at the Centre. It stood a little south of the 
 parsonage occupied by their present minister. This year, 
 1772, Rev. Eden Burroughs received an invitation to settle, 
 which he accepted, and was installed. By the charter of the 
 town, he, as first settled minister, received a right of land, 
 350 acres. A salary was voted him, and he continued their 
 minister till November, 1809, when he was dismissed. That 
 all this was done town-wise is evident from the fact that, 
 before his dismission. Dr. Burroughs brought a suit against 
 the town for arrears of salary, and recovered. The Meeting- 
 house remained tiU the year 1797, when it was burnt by an 
 incendiary. 
 
 This church in the early jjart of Dr. Burrough's ministrj- 
 was Presbyterian — when, precisely, that connection was form- 
 ed, does not appear. But in March, 1784, Dr. Burroughs 
 having become disaffected, renounced Presbytery. A schism 
 was the consequence, and Dr. Burroughs, with a part of the 
 church and people, seceded and built a Meeting-house on 
 the north side of the common, where they worshiped. De- 
 cember, 1786, Dr. Burroughs was formally excommunicated 
 by the Grafton Presbytery, which censure however was re- 
 moved in 1793. But having joined the Windsor (Congrega- 
 tional) Association, and his church having become Congrega- 
 tional, he refused to return. 
 
 • Sketch by Rev. John Richards, D.D. 
 
540, GRAFTON COUNTY. 
 
 The other part of the church, adhering to Presbytery, in 
 1788 called Eev. Samuel Collins ; and in November of that 
 year he was ordained, and remained in that relation till 
 1795, when he was dismissed. This church occupied the old 
 Meeting-house, which was burnt. In 1796 a new JMeeting- 
 house was built a httle north of the burying-yard. This 
 new edifice was occupied by transient preachers till 1814, 
 when Dr. Burroughs being removed and the schism being in 
 a measure healed, the two parties were organized anew into 
 a church, and the people united in the settlement and ordi- 
 nation of Eev. Josiah Towne. The church was from that 
 time fully Congregational, and worship was held thenceforth 
 only in the house built in 1796. 
 
 Mr. Towne was settled by voluntary subscription, on a sal- 
 ary of four hundred and fifty dollars. He was dismissed in 
 1833. Preceding Mr. Towne's settlement in 1811, Eev. Ben- 
 jamin White of Thetford had preached temporarily with stir- 
 ring effect. A revival was experienced, which prepared the 
 way for the union, and in the early part of Mr. Towne's min- 
 istry the house was filled with a large congregation. But in 
 his later ministry there was a great falling off. June 22, 
 1836, Eev. John Birkby, an Englishman, was installed, and 
 he was dismissed April 24, 1839. 
 
 In May, 1840, Eev. John M. Ellis was installed, and dis- 
 missed October, 1842. The Meeting-house built in 1796 
 having become dilapidated, the society under the ministry 
 of Mr. Ellis built another. This is the house now occupied, 
 standing a few rods north of its predecessor. The othei- 
 structures have all been demolished. Eev. David Kimball 
 supplied them for about two years and a half, commencing 
 in November, 1845. 
 
 In November, 1850, Eev. A. H. Cutter was installed and 
 still remains the pastor. The society own a parsonage with 
 an acre of land, which constitutes part of the salary. The 
 church at Hanover Centre has had a checkered history, hav- 
 ing experienced great reverses, and received many smiles of 
 Divine Providence. The schism under Dr. Burroughs was 
 unfortunate ; for in the decline of the Presbyterian part a 
 door was opened for the introduction of various sectaries. — 
 The Baptist church originated by occasion of this, and after- 
 wards there were many secessions to other denominations. 
 A constant emigration of late years has weakened the church, 
 and still draws hard upon it. But the church has enjoyed 
 seasons of refreshing, and many have been born there into 
 the kingdom of heaven, and trained for a higher and a bet- 
 ter state. A large number of professional men have origi- 
 
HANOVEK. 541 
 
 nated, or received their early training, within the limits of 
 this church. A sermon preached at Hanover, Nov. 18, 1849, 
 by Rev. Eden B. Foster, now of Lowell, Ms., grandson of Dr. 
 Burroughs — occasioned by the death of Eev. E. N. Wright 
 of Illinois, who was a native of Hanover — gives a catalogue 
 of 78 such. Of these, 21 were ministers — a large share con- 
 verts under the ministry of Mr. Towne — 31 were physicians, 
 and 15 of the legal profession ; and of the whole number 37 
 received a coUegiate education. 
 
 Dr. BTirroughs, with many eccentricities, was a man of 
 strong mind, good sense, and a sound and zealous preacher 
 — excelling in extemporaneous efforts. He gained and held 
 the affections of his people in a remarkable degree. He was 
 a native of Connecticut, a graduate of Yale college in 1757, 
 and was first settled as a minister in KiUingly of that State. 
 After his dismission from Hanover he pireached four years in 
 Hartford, Vt., in the church known as the Dothan church, 
 which had constituted a part of the Presbyterian church at 
 Dartmouth college. Here he died, and was buried in the 
 cemetery on the road between Norwich and White River 
 village. On the stone which marks his grave the traveler 
 may read the following inscription : 
 
 The body of 
 
 REV. EDEN BDREOUGHS, D.D. 
 
 who died May 22, 1813, in his 76th year. 
 
 His wife Abigail died four 
 
 days before him. 
 
 Mr. CoUins was universally esteemed as a devoted and 
 excellent Christian minister. But as the better part of the 
 church and society followed Dr. Burroughs, his path was 
 through many trials, not the least of which was extreme 
 poverty. After his dismission he was settled in Craftsbury, 
 Vt., where he died. Mr. Towne was a native of Belcher- 
 town, Ms., and was graduated at Middlebury college in 1812. 
 His ministry, while eminently successful in the early part, 
 — revivals occurring in 1815, 1821, and 1826, — is understood 
 to have suffered in the later part by an unhappy method 
 of opposing errorists in the pulpit. After his dismission he 
 removed to Illinois, where he died in 1855. Mr. Birkby was 
 a man of good abilities and attainments ; but being a for- 
 eigner he failed to assimilate with the people, and his stay 
 was short. Nothing unpleasant or particularly injurious to 
 the church attended his dismission. Mr. Ellis, having en- 
 joyed an interesting revival with his people, was disabled 
 and dismissed from a severe bronchial affection. He recov- 
 
542 GRAFTON COUNTY. 
 
 ered afterwards, and for twelve years led a very active life in 
 the discharge of agencies for various benevolent societies. — 
 He died at Nashua, Aug. 6, 1855, aged 62. Among the 
 prominent members of the church at Hanover Centre, are 
 the names of Freeman, Curtiss, Pinneo (Huguenot,) Foster, 
 Wright, Smith, Kendrick. 
 
 The Baptist Meeting-house near Mill village was built in 
 1827. Its pastors have been Isaac Bridgman, Jesse Coburn, 
 Joseph Sawyer, Mr. Strong, Jonathan Green, Daniel F. Kich- 
 ardson, and Charles Newhall — the last two, graduates of 
 Dartmouth college. In 1840 the Methodists built a house 
 on Dartmouth Plain, and after occupying it ten years, sold 
 the building to the Episcopalians, who now worship in it. 
 At present, the Methodists have no visible organization in 
 the town. 
 
 HAVERHILL. 
 
 Rev. Edward H. Geebley. 
 
 The first Congregational church was organized Oct. 13, 
 1790, about thirty years subsequent to the first settlement 
 of the town. There had not been, however, during this 
 period, a total destitution of the preaching of the gospel. — 
 It is recorded of the first settlers of the town, who were for 
 the most part from Massachusetts, that they were strict in 
 their religious principles, and all attended religious worship 
 on the Sabbath. The infant settlement, confined mostly to 
 the meadows along the banks of the Connecticut, was for 
 some time so intimately connected with one made at the 
 same time across the river in Newbury, Vt., as to constitute 
 with it, in fact, but one settlement. Charters were obtain- 
 ed by both towns the same year, 1763. A town meeting, 
 the first under the charter, was holden at Newbury in the 
 summer of that year, at which it was voted "to unite with 
 Haverhill in paying a preacher for the term of two or tliree 
 months, this fall or winter." This was only two years after 
 the first dwelling had been erected in either town, and while 
 the inhabitants, as yet very few, were struggling with the 
 hardships and embarrassments of a new settlement. In the 
 autumn of the succeeding year, a church was gathered and 
 organized at Newbury through the instrumentahty of the 
 Eev. Peter Powers, "composed of members from both sides of 
 the river." "The two settlements also united in forming an 
 ecclesiastical society, which. union continued nearly twenty 
 
HAVEKHILL. 543 
 
 years." Tliis was the first church organized In the valley 
 of the Connecticut above Charlestown. Mr. Powers was 
 installed as its pastor Feb. 27, 1765. The vote of the 
 church and society, after specifying the time of the installa- 
 tion, the ministers and churches which shoTild constitute 
 the council, and the delegate Avho should represent the town 
 in it, directs that "the council shall meet for said install- 
 ment down country where it is tliougld best." It was too 
 much to ask of the council to come to them in the far off 
 wilderness, so they went to the council. The place "down 
 country" where it convened and performed the installation 
 services, was HoUis, N. H., the pastor elect preaching his 
 own installation sermon. 
 
 Mr. Powers appears to have been a very godly and faith- 
 ful minister, and his ministrations to have been duly appre- 
 ciated. In those days it was deemed "disreputable and 
 sinful" to be absent from pubhc worship on the Sabbath 
 without a valid excuse. And it was no trifling hindrance 
 which, in the primitive simplicity of those days, would con- 
 stitute a valid excuse for absence. Famihes from the remote 
 parts of Haverhill were regular attendants on the Sabbath 
 service, who had six or eight miles to walk by a bridle path 
 through the woods, the parents, in some cases, carrying each 
 in their arms a child too young to bear the fatigue of the 
 way. We can discern at this distance no traces of what 
 would now be denominated a "revival" under his ministry, 
 but there were considerable additions to the clnu'ch from 
 time to time. Troubles growing out of his preaching and 
 efforts in behalf of the struggling colonies, during the war 
 of the Revolution, resulted in his dismissal in 1782, and also 
 in a virtual dissolution of the union between Newbury and 
 Haverhill in ecclesiastical concerns. Mr. Powers continued 
 to preach in HaverhiU for a year or two subsequent to his 
 dismissal, after which there appears to have been no stated 
 preacliing here till 1791. Efforts were made to induce the 
 town to settle a minister, but a want of unanimity of feel- 
 ing between different parts of the town made these efforts 
 fruitless. An attempt to get the town divided, so that the 
 south pjart might settle a minister, also failed. A period of 
 great spiritual darkness and of abounding wickedness came 
 on. An eye-witness reports, "there was no Sabbath, and 
 there were but three men in aU the region, who were pro- 
 fessors of religion." There was then no minister in the 
 vicinity. In these circumstances there occurred a very 
 general and powerful revival of religion. Scarcely a house in 
 the south part of the town was left unvisited by the awaken- 
 
544 GBAFTON COUNTY. 
 
 ing and converting Spirit. It does not distinctly appear 
 what means were blessed to this end. Perhaps the seed 
 planted so long before by Mr. Powers was then springing 
 up. One of the converts traced her first awakening to ter- 
 ror, inspired by the thought that there were none here to pray 
 for her. 
 
 In that revival the present church had its origin. It 
 consisted, at its organization, of 23 members, all received on 
 profession of their faith. Pretty large additions were soon 
 made to this number, including a considerable accession 
 from the adjacent town of Piermont. In 1792 Rev. Ethan 
 Smith was ordained to the pastoral care of the church. An 
 eifort was made to induce the town to settle him, but it 
 failed, and the church, together with a portion of the people, 
 became responsible for his support. He remained its pastor 
 till 1799. In the early part of his ministry the church grew 
 and prospered. There arose a protracted controversy with 
 the church at Newbury, and there were besides several 
 unpleasant cases of discipline by which the cause of religion 
 suilered, and for a long period very few were added to the 
 church. It may be worthy of note as an indication of the 
 spirit of the times, that five members were excommunicated 
 for deserting the church and joining the Baptists. Want 
 of adequate support is the cause alleged for the dismissal of 
 Mr. Smith. 
 
 After an interval of two and a half years, Eev. John 
 Smith became pastor of the church by ordination. He was 
 settled by the town. He was dismissed and dej^osed from 
 the ministry in 1807. The church was then destitute of a 
 pastor eight years. It was a period of discouragement and 
 gloom. The things that remained were ready to die. The 
 members from Piermont, about thirty in number, were dis- 
 missed to form a new church there. The usual causes were 
 at work thinning the ranks of the church, and there were 
 none to fill the place of the fallen. In 1814, out of 90 who 
 up to that date had been connected with it, only 12 remain- 
 ed. But in this its darkest hour, God again appeared for 
 the church which owed its existence to so signal a display 
 of his grace. In 1814 a revival commenced, as at the begin- 
 ning, when there was no one here to preach the gospel. In 
 the summer of that year, shortly after the seriousness com- 
 menced, Eev. Grant Powers, then in feeble health, — so much 
 so as to be actually on his way home, as he thought to die — ■ 
 spent a Sabbath here, became interested in the people and 
 they in him, and remained to labor with them. The result 
 was that he was ordained their pastor in January 1815, and 
 
HAVERHILL. 545 
 
 continued his labors with them till 1829. Another revival 
 occurred in 1823. During the ministry of Mr. Powers about 
 one hundred were added to the church by profession. Some 
 alienation of feeling arising out of a controversy with the 
 Methodists and from other sources, to relieve his friends of a 
 too heavy burden in providing for his pecuniary support, he 
 asked and received a dismission. About the time of Mr. 
 Powers' settlement the parish, which previously had embrac- 
 ed the whole town, became contracted to its present very 
 narrow limits. In the summer of 1831, before the vacancy 
 occasioned by the removal of Mr. Powers was supplied, 
 occurred a revival, perhaps the most powerful ever enjoyed 
 by the church. As the fruits of it about sixty were added 
 to the church. In December of that year, Kev. Henry 
 Wood was installed its pastor. His ministry here continued 
 till March 1835, when, at his request, he was dismissed to 
 become pastor of the church at Dartmouth college. In 
 June following his dismissal, Eev. Joseph Gibbs became 
 pastor of the church by ordination. Almost immediately 
 after his settlement his health failed. He lingered, laboring 
 occasionally as he was able, till April 1837, when he died, 
 greatly lamented. Twenty were added to the church under 
 his ministry, though there was no general revival. 
 
 A Uttle more than a year after his decease, in June 1838, 
 Kev. Archibald Fleming was installed in the pastorate of 
 the church. He was dismissed in 1841. Seventeen were 
 added to the church by profession under his ministry. This 
 was the period of the ultra-abolition excitement which swept 
 over the churches of this region. Mr. Fleming carried the 
 church safely through it, but not without awakening feelings 
 which made his pecuniary support somewhat difficult, and 
 he deemed it advisable to leave, much, however, against the 
 wishes of a large part of his friends. In February following 
 his dismissal, (1842,) Eev. Samuel Delano was installed 
 over the church, and continued his pastoral labors with it 
 till January 1847. At the commencement of his ministry 
 there occurred a revival which brought about thirty five into 
 the church. Forty one were added to it by jjrofession dur- 
 ing his ministry. After his dismissal the vacancy was sup- 
 plied by Rev. Moses C. Searle for two years, during which 
 period 13 made a public profession of their faith in Christ. 
 The present pastor, Rev. E. H. Greeley was ordained in 
 November 1849. Since that time 41 have been added to 
 the church by profession. 
 
 This church has never had any permanent fund for the 
 support of the gospel. The salary of its pastors is raised by 
 
546 GKAFTON COUNTY. 
 
 a voluntary subscription. The amount received by some of 
 its earlier pastors has not been ascertained. Mr. Wood was 
 settled for five years on a salary of $ 500 ; Mr. Gribbs on the 
 same conditions ; Mr. Fleming's salary was at first fixed at 
 $500,— fifty dollars were afterwards added. Mr. Delano 
 was to have what the parish was willing to subscribe, the 
 subscription for the first year amounting to nearly $ 600. — 
 The present pastor has a salary of $ 600. A company of 
 individuals in the church own a house which is intended for 
 the pastor's use. Collections for benevolent objects are 
 taken up at the close of each communion service. The 
 whole amount raised last year for benevolent purposes was 
 $467,12. In 1840 it was $196,19 ; in 1847, $285,26 ; and 
 in 1852, $276,36. There have been no schisms or internal 
 dissensions in this church of very observable extent or very 
 marked, permanent influence. It is thought that the lapse 
 of forty years has wrought no very manifest change in the 
 general standard of piety in the church. It is believed, 
 however, that there is less open wickedness in the communi- 
 ty now than then. A thorough investigation was made two 
 years since to ascertain the attendance upon public worship 
 in the parish. It was found that out of 618 of suitable age 
 to attend public worship, 199, or about 32 per cent., were 
 regular attendants ; 157, or a little more than 25 per cent., 
 were occasional attendants ; and 262, or more than 42 per 
 cent., non-attendants. The average attendance on the 
 Sabbath, in pleasant weather, is about 220. The average 
 attendance on public worship in the town is not certainly 
 ascertained, but is believed to be not far from 400. An 
 unusually large proportion of the members of this church 
 have always been females. Of church members now resi- 
 dent, 90 are females. Its pecuniary burdens therefore 
 fall on comparatively few. It will be observed that it owes 
 its existence and preservation to revivals, and it is a remark- 
 able feature in these revivals that so many have occurred 
 when it has been destitute of a pastor. It is a vine which 
 has been planted and watered by the Great Shepherd. It 
 is also worthy of note that about three-fourths of the acces- 
 sions to its numbers for the last twenty five years, have 
 come from the Sabbath School. The Sabbath School has 
 here, in later years, been emphatically the nursery of the 
 church. 
 
HEBEON. GROTON. 547 
 
 HAVERHILL NORTH.* 
 
 For more than half a century after its first settlement the 
 town of Haverhill constituted one parish. The first two 
 pastors of the first church were, according to the custom of 
 those days, ministers of the town. Its territorial dimen- 
 sions, together with the location of the great body of its 
 inhabitants, rendered it inconvenient for them to meet in 
 one place. This led to alternate meetings in the north and 
 south parts of the town, and ultimate^, in 1815, to a divi- 
 sion of it into two parishes. 
 
 In June 1815 a church was organized in the north parish. 
 As nearly as can now be ascertained, it consisted originally of 
 about forty members. A part of these had previously 
 belonged to the first church, and a part to the church in 
 Bath. Others were from time to time added, making a total 
 of eighty eight who, up to the present time, have been mem- 
 bers of it. Of these only ten now remain connected with it. 
 This church has had no settled pastor, and, for the most 
 part, has been destitute even of a stated supply. It has 
 always been too feeble to assume the entire support of a pastor, 
 and, for most of the preaching which it has enjoyed, it has 
 been in part dependent on missionary aid. It is not known 
 that it has enjoyed a single revival of religion of any consid- 
 erable extent. Its present prospects are dark, but what may 
 be in store for it is known only to the Great Head of the 
 church. Who knows but He may return and visit this vine, 
 which has struggled so long to maintain a feeble existence in 
 a barren soil, and cause it to revive and flourish ? 
 
 HEBRON. GROTON.f 
 
 Rev. LiBA CONANT. 
 
 Groton. — Its first name was Cockermouth. It was grant- 
 ed in 1761, and re-granted five years afterwards. In 1770, 
 Gould, Melvin, Hobart, Bennet and Farley, made a settle- 
 ment amid many suiferings during the first winter, in conse- 
 quence of having failed to raise enough to sustain them 
 comfortably. In 1796 it took its present name. 
 
 In 1779 a Congregational church was formed, and Rev. 
 Samuel Perley a graduate of Harvard in 1763 was settled. 
 He was dismissed in 1785. In the surrounding towns some 
 believers in Christ were found, and a successful efi'ort was 
 
 * Sketch by Rev. E. H. Greeley, t Sketch by Compiler. 
 
548 
 
 GEAFTON COUNTY. 
 
 made to bring them into one church. Over this Eev. 
 Thomas Page was ordained in 1790, and its numbers were 
 quite large ; he continued until his death May 3, 1813. — 
 Nov. 9, 1803, Kev. Wm. Eolfe was settled as colleague, and 
 remained until his death in June 1828 — a ministry of 25 
 years. There must have been much religious principle here 
 at an early day. When the church was first gathered and a 
 pastor settled, there must have been less than 200 souls in 
 town, and but 373 when the second pastor was settled. 
 
 Eev. D. Perry was in Hebron and Groton in 1827, and 
 11 were added to the former and 17 to the latter church. 
 
 Eev. A. P. Tenney, a native of Corinth, Vt., now of West 
 Concord, was settled here as pastor of both Hebron and 
 Groton, June 18, 1828, and dismissed Feb. 11, 1833. In 
 1832 an addition of 25 members was made to Groton church 
 which now numbered 81. In 1820 this church reported 64 
 members. 
 
 Hebkox. — About half of the town was included in Groton. 
 It was incorporated June 15, 1792, and had in 1800 only 
 281 inhabitants — last census, 565. Yet this 281 inhabitants 
 " erected a handsome Meeting-house in 1800," but were 
 without a settled ministry for years. In 1820 a church of 
 43 members is reported here. There were added 11 mem- 
 bers the first year of Mr. Tenney's labors here. In 1831 
 there were added 17 and the next year 10 members, and the 
 church numbered 82. 
 
 In 1835 Eev. Daniel Pulsifer was employed here and in 
 Groton, and continued his work with commendable zeal 
 about five years. In 1841 Eev. James Hobart began his 
 labors in this field, and continued them three or four years. 
 In 1845 Eev. Liba Conant, who in other fields in the State 
 showed himself a workman that "needeth not to be 
 ashamed," entered these towns and has been their acting 
 pastor for more than ten years. They had fallen in numbers 
 and strength very much before he began his labors — Groton 
 having only 33 members and Hebron 21 ; now Groton has 
 30 and Hebron 28. The Meeting-house in Hebron was 
 re-modeled in 1847. A small Baptist church of 29 mem- 
 bers exists in Hebron. In the exercise of much self denial 
 has Mr. Conant broken the bread of life to this people. May 
 Simeon's language yet express his joyful experience. He 
 has seen great things in his ministry in other fields. A kind 
 spirit seems to exist here among minds of different religious 
 views, as is intimated by the fact that 130 pupils are found 
 in their union Sabbath School in Hebron. Temperance has 
 prospered here in advance of many towns. 
 
LEBANON. 549 
 
 HILL.* 
 
 A Congregational chnrch was organized here Feb. 19, 1815, 
 by the assistance of Eev. William Eolfe of Groton. The 
 church gathered consisted of two members, Carr Huse and 
 Israel Adams. This church was supplied the greater part 
 of the time from its organization with the public ministra- 
 tions of the gospel, but did not have a settled minister till 
 Jan 6, 1831, when Rev. Isaac Knight was ordained their 
 pastor. He remained pastor of the church about six years. 
 
 May 2, 1838 Rev. Hazel Lucas was installed, and Jan. 16, 
 1839 was dismissed. After this they were supplied most of 
 the time with Congregational preaching until April 26, 1843, 
 when Rev. John LcIBosquet was installed pastor of the 
 church. He was dismissed April 24, 1849. Since that time 
 the church was supplied two years by Rev. Daniel Sawyer. 
 There have been gathered into the church, by profession and 
 letter since it was formed, 160 members, but not more than 
 seventy iive or eighty have belonged to it at one time. It 
 now numbers 34. There have been three revivals of consid- 
 erable interest and power — one in 1831-32, in 1840-41 and 
 in 1849-50. There have been other seasons from time to 
 time of a good degree of religious interest, and more or less 
 conversions and additions to the church. Most of those that 
 have been received into the church by profession, as the 
 fruits of these revivals, have been young people, and a good 
 portion of them those that were baptized in infancy. This 
 church has been from time to time greatly afflicted with dis- 
 orderly members, which gave occasion to the enemies of 
 Christ to blaspheme and take advantage. The church still 
 has a name to live, and it is hoped there are some here who 
 are true disciples of Christ and lovers of his worship and 
 ordinances. There is preaching in the place of the Metho- 
 dist and Freewill Baptist order most of the time, and Con- 
 gregationalists aid in supporting them to some extent, as 
 they cannot support a minister of their own order, and by 
 way of exchanges they obtain some Congregational preaching. 
 
 LEBANON. 
 
 Rev. Charles A. Downs. 
 
 In 1760, eighty two persons, the majority of whom resid- 
 1 in Lebanon and Mansfield, Conn., associated together 
 
 ed 
 
 * Sketch by Joseph Prescott, 
 
550 
 
 GKAFTON COUNTY. 
 
 and obtained from Benning Wentworth, the royal governor, 
 the charter of this town, bearing date July 4, 1761. The 
 town was immediately surveyed, and clearings commenced. 
 Four men remained during the winter of 1762. The next 
 year several famihes came on, and settled permanently. — 
 The earliest record of the town now extant is as follows : — 
 "A true copy of y'= vote, passed at a town meeting held in 
 Lebanon, on May y-^ 1.3th, 1765. At y'= motion of Mr. Asa 
 Kilbourne, (viz., after choosing a moderator,) Queryd, wheth- 
 er we will have a minister in the town this summer or not ? 
 Voted in the affirmative. 3d, Voted that we first send 
 subscriptions to y® neighboring towns, and get what we can 
 subscribed ; and what remains wanting to supply the pulpit 
 six months will stand 'sponsible for ; to be paid at y'^ end of 
 said six months. 4th, Chose Aaron Storrs to carry a sub- 
 scription — to take care to get as much in y"^ neighboring 
 towns as he can. 5 th, Voted the selectmen take it upon 
 them to seek quarters for the minister, and provide for his 
 accommodation." The town at this time did not contain 
 more than twenty families, yet they were not unmindful of 
 the obligation owed to God, and the blessings to be found 
 only in the gospel. As early as 1768 the question of buUd- 
 ing a Meeting-house was agitated, and the town voted to 
 build one. But owing to some disagreement about its loca- 
 tion, the vote was not carried into effect until 1772. The 
 first house built, was 48 feet in lengtli, 34 in breadth, and 
 12 feet posts. In 1768, the town voted to give a Mr. Wales 
 a call to settle in the gospel ministry. " His salary the first 
 year was to be £ 50, to rise annually £ 5 till it should be 
 £ 70." Something in the answer of Mr. Wales to this call, 
 seems to have offended the fathers ; for they voted not to 
 receive him, and that all their proceedings in relation to him 
 were null and void. And farther they refused to make him 
 any compensation "for y" loss of his horse, supposed to be 
 gored to death in Levi Hyde's pasture, y"* last year." 
 
 This church was organized Sept. 27, 1768, in the presence 
 of Rev. Bulkley Olcott of Charlestown, and Pi-ev. James 
 WeUman of Cornish. Six names are appended to the arti- 
 cles of faith, and the covenant ; and what is somewhat unu- 
 sual they are all names of men. Rev. Isaiah Potter, after 
 two seasons of probation, was constituted pastor of this 
 church and people Aug. 25, 1772. He was ordained in the 
 open air, on a stage erected beneath a large elm tree, stand- 
 ing on the bank of the Connecticut river. The ordination 
 sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Olcott of Charlestown. 
 The services are said to have been solemn and interesting. — 
 
LEBANON. 551 
 
 At the close, tlie newly constituted pastor affectionately 
 addressed Ms flock, especially the younger members, exhort- 
 ing them to refrain from any vain amusements, dancing and 
 the like, as altogether unsuitable to the occasion, though 
 customary. The sacrament of the Lord's Supper was 
 administered for the first time Nov. 15, 1772. Thus, in nine 
 years from the first settlement of the town, a church was 
 organized, a minister settled and the ordinances of the gos- 
 pel enjoyed. July 24, 1777 was observed by the church as 
 a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer, "on account of the 
 distress of the war and the near approach of the enemy after 
 Ticonderoga was given up," when the church solemnly 
 renewed their covenant with God. April 28, 1782, fifty 
 three persons were received into the church, the fruits of a 
 revival, upon the same day. Not long after thirty three 
 more were added at one time. Considering the number of 
 inhabitants in the town — not exceeding five hundred — the 
 Kke can hardly be found in any of our churches. The event 
 seems to have made a deep and most sahitary impression 
 upon the church, leading them to humble confessions of sin 
 to God and one another, and prayers for forgiveness. Four- 
 teen years previous to tliis time the church was organized 
 with six members ; it now numbered two hundred and four, 
 almost half of the whole population. 
 
 The records of the church give evidence that discipline 
 was faithfully and energetically maintained from the begin- 
 ning. An idea of their sentiments may be formed from the 
 following: "March 3, 1784, the church voted that they 
 consider it unbecoming in a profession of godliness, for 
 young persons, professors, to practice frolicking and vain 
 mirth ; likewise for elderly persons to indulge in idleness, in 
 foohsh talking and jesting — that they will set a watch about 
 them in future and refrain." To the close of Mr. Potter's 
 ministry there are no events recorded of special interest. — 
 Frecjuent additions were made to the church, amounting in 
 all to 372. Out of this number were 12 ministers of the 
 gospel, among whom were Samuel Wood, D.D. of Boscawen, 
 Walter Harris, D.D. of Dunbarton, and Benjamin Wood of 
 Upton, Ms. Mr. Potter was born in Plymouth, Conn., 
 graduated at Yale college, studied theology with Dr. Smalley 
 of Berlin, Conn., and was a fellow student with Nathaniel 
 Emmons, D.D. Two of his brothers were also ministers. 
 He was settled by the town July 6, 1772. In addition to 
 the £ 62 granted by the proprietors towards the settlement 
 of the first minister, the town voted to give him £ 38. His 
 annual salary was £ 50, for two years, and then to increase 
 
552 GKAFTON COUNTY. 
 
 five pounds annually up to eighty. In mental abilities he 
 rose far above the average, sound in doctrine, logical in his 
 discourse, mighty in the Scriptures, judicious in counsel, _ a 
 shrewd observer of men, "fervent in spirit, and diligent in 
 business," his whole soul pervaded by a reigning spirituality. 
 It has been said, that when he was settled, the number of 
 those called revival ministers in New Hampshire was less 
 than ten, and that he was one. His ministry was crowned 
 with great success — through his efforts the church was built 
 up in numbers, in doctrine and in grace. 
 
 The following anecdotes concerning him have been pre- 
 served. One of his congregation once complained to him 
 that his sermons were too short. Mr. Potter asked him if a 
 short sermon in a cold day (it was before stoves were in use) 
 would not do, if it was a good one .^^ "Certainly," replied 
 the man, "if it is a good one." "But if it is a poor one it 
 certainly ought to be short," said Mr. Potter. "Yes," 
 replied the man in confusion. During the latter part of his 
 ministry, the use of the Meeting-house was apportioned to 
 the several denominations in the town, so many Sabbaths 
 to each. After preaching a sermon, one of the congregation 
 said to him, "Mr. Potter, you preached a good Universahst 
 sermon to-day." "Ah! indeed.^ Well, if that is the case, 
 we will let this pass for one of their days for occupying the 
 house." Mr. Potter was of commanding stature, being over 
 six feet in height, and possessed of great physical strength. 
 It is said that he has been known to mow half a day at 
 a time without once whetting his scythe — yet cutting his 
 full rjuantum of grass, bringing it down by sheer strength. 
 He was out in the Revolution as chaplain to one of the 
 New Hampishire regiments. As he was one day walking 
 round the camp he saw two men attempting to lift a can- 
 non upon its carriage. Pushing the men aside and lay- 
 ing hold of the trunnions, he raised the piece alone and 
 quietly walked away. One of the men in his astonishment 
 used some profane language. Being informed tliat the man 
 who had performed such a feat of strength was a chaplain, 
 he hastened after him, and hat in hand humbly begged his 
 pardon for the language he had used. In his last days a 
 cloud settled upon his mind, unsettling his reason. He died 
 July 2, 1817, aged 71, having been the pastor of this chiirch 
 about forty five years. 
 
 The history of the church for several years after the death 
 of Mr. Potter was drawn up by one of the members of the 
 church, and placed upon their records, "that they might 
 ever retain a grateful remembrance of God's mercies, in that 
 
LEBANON. 553 
 
 they had not been utterly forsaken ; that they might perpetu- 
 ate to generations to come, the remembrance of past events ; 
 that they may learn wisdom from the things which we have 
 suifered, and by watchfulness, diligence and perseverance, 
 and by a timely attention to every Christian duty, the 
 church in future may be preserved from such trials as she 
 has experienced for many years past." This record is main- 
 ly followed for the period which it covers. From the time 
 when Mr. Potter ceased to preach, until his death, a period 
 of eleven months, the pulpit was supplied by the labors of 
 several ministers, for a few Sabbaths each, under a joint 
 committee of the church and people, whose object seemed to 
 be to procure a great, popular preacher, to suit all denomi- 
 nations, so that all would help support preaching and taxes 
 be light. The church was slumbering and would not be 
 awaked to a sense of its duty, — nor to discover impending 
 danger. The church was soon made to feel of how little 
 account she was, and how smaU her influence when merged 
 in the population of the town and allowing them to provide 
 instruction for her. For the multitude took the entire con- 
 trol of the Meeting-house, paying no regard to the church, 
 and providing such preaching as the church could not fellow- 
 ship. No choice was 'left her but to withdraw from the 
 Meeting-house and be without preaching, or to set up a sep- 
 arate organization, distinct from the town. Accordingly on 
 the 18th of August 1818, the church withdrew from the 
 Meeting-house, being virtually excluded, and remained more 
 than two years without any stated meetings. On the 14th 
 of June 1820 a council was convened by letters missive from 
 the church, to advise them in their trying circumstances. — 
 Following the advice of the council the church delayed to 
 commence public worship by themselves, tiU October 1820. 
 The church then, with a few others who adhered to them, 
 began to maintain public worship by themselves — first in a 
 private house, then in a school-house till they were exclud- 
 ed from that, then in another school-house till they were 
 excluded from that also, — being supplied by the labors of 
 different ministers, for a short time each. The church was 
 much weakened by the refusal of something over thirty of 
 the members to cooperate with them. The majority of 
 these finally returned to the church. 
 
 In the month of February 1823, the town assumed the 
 right to control the occupancy of the Meeting-house, and 
 apportioned the use of it among the denominations of the 
 town, as follows : To the church 14 Sabbaths ; to the Ford 
 party 22 Sabbaths ; to the Universalists 12 Sabbaths : and 
 36 
 
554 
 
 GEAFTON COUNTY. 
 
 to the Baptists 4 Sabbaths. In a now division in 1827, the 
 church were allowed 20 Sabbaths in the year. 
 
 On the 6th of November the Eev. Calvin Cutler was 
 ordained over the church and people, in the work of the 
 ministry. He was an able, faithful and laborious minister, 
 and his labors were attended with the Divine blessing. — 
 There were 49 persons received into the church from the 
 close of the ministry of the first pastor to the dismission of 
 Mr. Cutler. The church having no Meeting-house, nor any 
 settled place of worship, and part of the support which he 
 was entitled to receive, failing him, and a low state of reli- 
 gion prevaihng, Mr. Cutler was constrained to resign his 
 office as pastor, and was dismissed by a council in May 
 1827. He afterwards settled in Windham, where he died, 
 greatly respected and beloved. The church again began to 
 support preaching hj temporary subscriptions, emplojdng 
 ministers for a short period. They still delayed to build a 
 Meeting-house, hoping that they might yet be permitted to 
 occupy the house on the common, according to the inten- 
 tions of its builders, and that there the church and all the 
 people might enjoy the privilege of hearing the gospel faith- 
 fully preached, as during the last twenty five years of Mr. 
 Potter's ministry. They were still denied this right and 
 forced to worship where they could, often in places intended 
 for public amusement, and under unpropitious circumstances. 
 
 In these discouraging circumstances, severely testing the 
 constancy and faith of the church, on the 3cl of November 
 
 1827, a number of the brethren met together to take counsel 
 concerning their prospects and their future course of action. 
 They concluded that they must build a house wliich should 
 be entirely under their control. The plan adopted to raise 
 funds was, that the brethren of the church should give in 
 proportion to their several estates, and that others should 
 give according to their free will. In a few months, by the 
 contributions of the church and the generous donations of 
 others who sympathized with them, funds sufiicient to pur- 
 chase land and build a house were raised. The frame was 
 erected on the 24th of April 1828, and the house dedi- 
 cated to the worship of Almighty God on the 13th of Aug. 
 
 1828. The cost of the house and the lot of land was $ 3162. 
 Dea. Nathaniel Porter gave to the church, a house and 
 
 nearly two acres of land to be used as a ^jarsonage — a most 
 timely and generous deed. In addition the church raised a 
 fund of a thousand dollars, the annual interest of which was 
 to be devoted to the support of the gospel. Having thus a 
 place of worship which they could call their own, the church 
 
LEBANON. M5 
 
 began to look again for a pastor. On the 28th of January 
 they voted unanimously to give to the Kev. Israel Newell 
 of Plainfield, a call to he their pastor. Mr. Newell saw fit 
 to decline the in\atation. 
 
 Feb. 7, 1829, they invited Rev. P. Cooke of Acworth to 
 preach to them, as a candidate for the pastorate of the 
 church. In April of the same year they gave him a call, 
 which he accepted, and was installed May 8, 1829. In the 
 early part of his ministry here Mr. Cooke experienced many 
 trials, but was found adequate to them. Under his care 
 the church was prosperous, increasing in numbers and 
 strength every year. In 1835, the Spirit was poured out 
 copiously upon the church and 67 persons were added to 
 their number during the year — 39 uniting upon the same 
 day. Mr. Cooke continued to be the joastor of the church 
 until May 13, 1848, when he was dismissed by a coimcil. — 
 That he was an unusually successful pastor, the records of 
 the church give ample evidence, 233 persons being received 
 into memliership during that period of nineteen years. 
 
 In person Mr. Cooke was tall and commanding, possessed 
 of remarkable social qualities securing to himself strong 
 friendship ; a judicious councillor, an interesting speaker, 
 possessing unusual powers of adapting his discourse to all 
 occasions ; a diligent and delighted observer of the ways of 
 Providence ; well acquainted with the Scriptures, and abun- 
 dant and apt in his quotations from them ; a sound theolo- 
 gian, and a fervent Christian. Many are the seals of liis 
 ministry both here and elsewhere. Many were awakened 
 by his presentations of the truth ; many did he point to Christ 
 as their Savior ; mairy did he build up in the faith of Christ. 
 After his dismission lie went to North Amherst, Ms., 
 preaching in various places, till a few weeks before his 
 death, which was April 28, 1853. [See Acworth.] 
 
 In July 1848, Pi,ev. Charles A. Downs of South Norwalk, 
 Conn., began to preach to the church as a stated supply, 
 and continued to do so until Nov. 22, 1849, when he was 
 installed as pastor of the church. The church, after the dis- 
 mission of Mr. Cooke, was involved in many difficulties, 
 which were in the course of time happily adjusted. In Oct. 
 1849, thirty seven persons were dismissed to form a Congre- 
 gational church at West Lebanon. There have been added 
 to the church during the ministry of the present pastor 57 
 persons. Salary of the pastor $500, with the use of the 
 parsonage. For the last twenty five years, the society has 
 failed but otice to pay the pastor his salary upon the day it 
 became due, — a fact worthy to be recorded in letters of gold. 
 
556 
 
 GRAFTON COUNTY. 
 
 Tliis is a sketch of the external history of this church. — 
 Her real history cannot be written, hut will be rehearsed 
 with thanksgiving and praise amid the glories of Heaven. — 
 She has passed through great trials, enduring at periods a 
 great fight of afEictions, but outliving them all. She has 
 also received extraordinary blessings from her great Head, 
 who purchased her with his own blood. Whole number of 
 members from the beginning 702 ; ministers of the gospel 
 among these 19 ; of settled pastors there have been 4 ; aver- 
 age length of pastorates to the present time has been eigh- 
 teen and a half years ; number of infant baptisms can be 
 given only from 1824 and is 89 ; present number of mem- 
 bers 148. There are in town two Congregational churches, 
 one Methodist church, and a Universalist society. The 
 church has adopted a systematic plan of benevolence, dis- 
 pensing with the services of agents, each object being pre- 
 sented at a stated time by the pastor. Amount contributed 
 in 1854, $210. 
 
 LITTLETON. 
 
 Rev. E. Ihvin Caepentek. 
 
 The pohce of the town was organized in 1787. The first 
 effort known to have been made in behalf of the gospel, 
 was a vote passed in 1791 " to hire preaching two months.'' 
 The next year, £ 9 were voted for the same purpose. After 
 this, although articles were sometimes inserted in the annual 
 warrants to see if the town would make any apjjropriations 
 for religious purposes, nothing was done till 1796, when the 
 town voted " to pay James ilankin for going for the minis- 
 ter." The next action of the town was taken in 1799, in 
 raising " a committee to hire a minister to preach out the 
 money subscribed." The following year, three shillings were 
 voted on "the pole and other ec[uivalent estate." In 1802, 
 1 100 were voted. Subsequent to this, no legal tax was 
 assumed or voted for the purpose of preacliing. The only 
 further effort by the town, was that of sirbscribing $ 200 in 
 1811, towards a Meeting-house. And this subscription was 
 to give them the right of occupying the house when built, for 
 their corporate meetings. 
 
 While the town voted, as above stated, certain sums " to 
 hire preaching," there is some doubt whether the money was 
 ever actually raised and expended. Through inability to 
 obtain a minister, or some other cause, little or nothing may 
 
LITTLETON. 557 
 
 have been done. Only for an occasional Sabbath or two in 
 a year was any one hired to preach, till after the completion 
 of the Meeting-house in 1815, with the exception of one 
 summer, during which there was preaching one half of the 
 time. Meetings, however, were occasionally held on the 
 Sabbath, when there was no preaching, the brethren of the 
 church conducting them by reading sermons and offering 
 prayer. The missionaries sent out by the State organiza- 
 tions, occasionally visited the town and preached a Sabbath 
 or two. It was these missionaries and ministers in neigh- 
 boring towns that the people themselves hired, as above 
 stated, to labor with them for an occasional Sabbath. It 
 has already been remarked that the town voted in 1811, to 
 subscribe $ 200 towards a house for rehgious worship. Moses 
 Little, Esq. of Newbury, Ms. the jjrincipal land-proprietor of 
 the town, had ofiered to give two acres for a building lot. — 
 This offer was accepted, and preliminary steps were taken 
 towards the erection of a house of worship. The house, 
 however, was not finally completed till 1815, and it was to 
 be occupied by the several denominations uniting in its erec- 
 tion, in proportion to the amount they respectively owned. 
 The first house of worship was located near the center of the 
 town, some two miles away from the principal place for busi- 
 ness where the village has grown up. In 1832, another 
 house was erected in the village, costing about $ 2000. — 
 Some four years ago this house was enlarged and re-fitted, 
 and furnished with a bell, at the cost of $ 2500. It will now 
 seat about 500 persons, and is a neat and comfortable house. 
 
 It will be seen that the first settlers were neither generally 
 rehgious men, nor religiously inclined. The smaller portion 
 of the population only, had much desire for the institutions 
 of the gospel. And this is stiU characteristic of the town. 
 The main support of religion has been borne by the few ; 
 and these few, not strong in wealth, have toiled hard and 
 sustained heavy burdens. 
 
 The Congregational church was organized in 1803, by 
 Eev. David Goodall, a citizen of the town, and Rev. Asa 
 Carpenter, pastor of the church in Waterford, Vt. At its 
 organization it consisted of about ten members. A few 
 others were soon added, but, having no pastor and enjoying 
 but little ministerial labor, its growth was very slow. In 
 1820, the time of the settlement of the first pastor, it num- 
 bered 35. At the present time, the resident and non-resi- 
 dent members in full standing, are 123. The whole number 
 that have been connected with the church cannot be accu- 
 rately given, but is not far from 250. The baptisms since 
 1820, have been of children 150, and of adults 76. 
 
558 GEAFTON COUNTY. 
 
 Kev. David Groodall, formerly of Halifax, Vt., and who 
 was a citizen-farmer of the towD, was the first stated supply. 
 He preached, however, only one half of the time during a 
 single summer. The next regular supply was Mr. N. K. 
 Hardy, a licentiate, who preached one half of the time for 
 nearly three years, and till the sickness which terminated his 
 life in the summer of 1819. In the fall of this year. Rev. 
 Drury Fairhank, lately dismissed from the church in Plym- 
 outh, was invited to visit the town with reference to settle- 
 ment. This invitation was accepted, and Mr. Fairhank was 
 installed over the church in May 1820, and was the first 
 pastor. After sixteen years of faithful labor, (preaching by 
 agreement three-fourths of the time,) Mr. Fairbank, in con- 
 sequence of feeble health, sought to be relieved from his 
 labors, and Mr. Evarts Worcester, son of Eev. Leonard Wor- 
 cester of Peacham, Vt., was obtained as a candidate for 
 settlement. On the 13th of March 1836, Mr. Worcester 
 was ordained to the ministry and installed as pastor of the 
 church and people, Mr. Fairbank having been dismissed the 
 day before by the ordaining council. Insidious consumption, 
 however, cut short Mr. Worcester's labors, just as, with large 
 promise of usefulness and amidst the affectionsof his people, 
 he was entering upon them. He preached but five or six 
 Sabbaths after his ordination, when, prostrated by hemor- 
 rhage, he was carried home to his father's to die, where he 
 expired in the following October. In the summer of the 
 succeeding year, Mr. Isaac R. Worcester, brother of the 
 late lamented pastor, entered upon his labors as a candidate 
 for the place vacated by the death of his brother, and was 
 ordained and installed over the church the 27th of September. 
 Three years of ministerial eff'ort forced him to suspend his 
 labors for a season, and finally the church was reluctantly 
 compelled to seek another minister. Eev. William With- 
 ington of Dorchester, Ms., preached about six months as a 
 stated supply ; Eev. Samuel Bean, afterwards settled at Great 
 Falls, two or three months ; Eev. Mr. Fairbank, former 
 pastor, occasionally ; Mr. Burchard, a licentiate, as candidate 
 for settlement ; and finally the present pastor, Mr, E. Irvin 
 Carpenter, entered upon his labors here in June 1842, and 
 was ordained and installed over the church the 13th of 
 December. 
 
 Revivals. — Under the labors of Mr. Hardy who came 
 to the place in the year 1816, there was some attention to 
 religion, and some few conversions, but nothing which can 
 properly be denominated a revival. In 1831-32, there were 
 considerable awakenings, yet nothing like what prevailed in 
 
LYME. 559 
 
 many places. Nor have there been any revivals of marked 
 extent and power since those years. Perhaps the best 
 account that can be given of this matter, is a statement of 
 the largest numbers that have been admitted to the church 
 on single Sabbaths. July 1, 1S21, seven were received ; Jan. 
 1, 1832, eighteen ; in March of the same year, seven ; Jan. 
 1S40, six ; May 1843, six ; May 1851, five ; July of the 
 same year, eight. And when we add to the language of 
 these statistics, the remark that no other denomination has 
 existed, as holding meetings regularly till since 18.50, it will 
 be seen that revivals have been few in number and limited 
 in extent. 
 
 There have been occasional cases of discipHne, — one some- 
 what protracted and difiicult case — but from the first to the 
 last, the great body of the members have been harmoniously 
 and firmly united. If they have not loved as brethren should 
 love, they have not fallen out by the way, but have main- 
 tained a kind and cordial walk. A weekly church prayer 
 meeting has now been sustained, and quite a portion of the 
 time pretty well sustained for several years. An evening 
 meeting is, and has been for a long time regularly held in 
 the village, and occasionally in other localities ; there are 
 meetings for conference and prayer. The amount annually 
 contributed to benevolent objects is about $ 150. The average 
 attendance of the people of the town on public worship, can- 
 not be set down higher than 400. The population of the 
 town is over 2000. It should be said, however, that there is 
 no convenient center in the town, and, that while not more 
 than one-fifth of the inhabitants are found in the house of 
 God from Sabbath to Sabbath, more than that proportion 
 attend public worship a portion of the time ; since some go 
 one part of the day, others the other part, and some one 
 Sabbath and others the next. The proportion that attend 
 now, however, is less than in the earlier years of the town ; 
 and yet greater than it was ten years ago. There is, proba- 
 Ijly, as great activity in the church now as ever, and open 
 wickedness is less. 
 
 LYME. 
 
 Rev. Eebix Ten.nt. 
 
 Lyme received its grant for township 1761, and its first 
 settlers April 1764, near the time that a large number of 
 towns in this neighborhood was granted and settled. The 
 
560 GRAFTON COUNTY. 
 
 first town meeting was held at the house of Thomas Sum- 
 ner, May 17, 1769, five years after the arrival of the first 
 inhabitants. One of the principal items of business, at this 
 first meeting, seems to have been, to make arrangements for 
 procuring preaching, and it was voted, without opposition, 
 to unite with Thetford, to hire preaching for the ensuing 
 year. At a meeting Nov. 26, 1770, the town voted to invite 
 Mr. Elisha Pearsons to preach as a candidate for settlement. 
 The people enjoyed his labors for a season, but Ms settle- 
 ment among them failed to be effected. After uniting with 
 Thetford for some time, in hiring a minister, to divide his 
 services between them, there was a proposition to unite with 
 the latter, in setthng Mr. Sumner ; but at a meeting Oct. 
 9, 1772, the town voted to decline the proposition, and to 
 treat with Mr. Eipley, to preach with a view to settlement. 
 The reason for this grew out of the difficulty of getting to 
 Thetford for religious meetings, and of the impression that 
 they needed the entire labors of a minister. 
 
 Sometime during this year, William Conant, a licentiate, 
 from Bridgewater, Ms., with his father and brother, and 
 some others, came to Lyme. The way was prepared, direct- 
 ly on his arrival, for the services of Mr. Conant. The town 
 voted, March 9, 1773, to give him a call to settle with them 
 in the ministry, which he accepted, and was ordained Dec. 
 22, 1773, as the first minister of the place. By the efforts 
 of Messrs. Pearsons, Ripley and Sumner, the attention of 
 the jieople was turned to their obligation to constitute in 
 the place a Christian church. The Congregational church 
 was organized May 22, 1771, consisting of 21 members. — 
 An addition of 13 was made to the church, previous to the 
 settlement of the ministiy. There were several early 
 attempts to erect a house, suited to their Sabbath assem- 
 blages. The town voted, May 1771, to build such a house. 
 But in consequence of diversity of opinion, in reference to 
 its location, and pecuniary inability, a house was not erected 
 till 1781, when it was located a few feet only from the pres- 
 ent place of worship. To tliis house, during the thirty one 
 years of its existence, parents and their households, with 
 more than common unanimity, and almost universally, went 
 up to pay their vows to Jehovah. Mr. Conant, after his 
 settlement, entered earnestly upon the duties of his profes- 
 sion, and prosecuted them with apparent fidelity, for thirty 
 six years and three months, when he was called to rest from 
 his labors. The town voted, that the salary of Mr. Conant 
 should be £ 45 annually for three years ; — that he should 
 have £ 60 towards his settlement, besides the right of land, 
 
LYME. , 561 
 
 provided by charter for the first settled minister ; — that the 
 salary should be paid in grain, at the estimated price of spec- 
 ified individuals ; — and that after three years, it should 
 increase with the grand list, tiU it reached £ 70, the ultima- 
 tum. 
 
 Mr. Conant had the reputation of a ^j/chw man. Some 
 regarded him proud of this attribute, as he carried it to the 
 extreme, in his dress, — in his common deportment, — in all 
 his habits of public and private Hfe. He paid little atten- 
 tion, evidently, to the character of his style, or to the graces 
 of oratory. If he bestowed labor upon the manner of 
 expressing his thoughts, it must have been to render them 
 direct and quaint. His sermons were doctrinal and practi- 
 cal. His rebukes of prevailing vices were often direct and 
 severe, and on the Sabbath following the practice of some 
 flagrant sin, his reproofs sometimes, in language and tone, 
 would resemble those of an angry parent, in the correction 
 of a wayward son. But his evident sincerity, honesty and 
 benevolent intention, rendered his reproofs effective and 
 beneficial. His labors were much blessed, as cannot be 
 doubted, in correcting the morals of the jieople, and deepen- 
 ing the piety of the church. There were 158 additions to 
 its members during his ministry. Mr. Conant was born at 
 Bridgewater, Ms., 1743 ; graduated at Yale college, 1770 ; 
 studied divinity with an uncle of the same name at Middle- 
 borough, Ms., and died March 8, 1810. 
 
 Kev. Nathaniel Lambert, the successor of Mr. Conant, 
 was born at Eowley, Ms., 1765 ; graduated at Brown uni- 
 versity, 1787 ; was licensed to preach, 1789 ; settled in 
 Newbury, Vt., 1790, and was dismissed in 1809. He was 
 installed as pastor of the church in L}Tiie, 1811 ; was dis- 
 missed, 1820 ; and died 1838, in the 74th year of his age. — 
 Thirty nine members were added to the church during his 
 pastorate. Mr. Lambert, in his personal appearance and 
 habits, was the antipode of his predecessor. Neatness, 
 precision and correctness were marked, in his person, in his 
 conversation, in his business, in the construction and dehv- 
 ery of his sermons, and in all his ministerial duties and 
 labors. He was deemed by some, particular to a fault. — 
 This attribute of his character had its influence in diminish- 
 ing the warmth and power of his public performances. His 
 visible success as a minister was not distinguished ; yet his 
 efforts to correct prevalent vice, particularly the desecration 
 of the Sabbath, though it subjected him, for a time, to 
 reproach and censure, were evidently well intended, and to 
 a good degree successful. It cannot be doubted, that his 
 
562 GKAFTON COUNTY. 
 
 labors as a minister contributed much to prepare the way 
 for the religious reviving, in which he greatly rejoiced, that 
 soon followed his dismission. 
 
 In the early settlement of New England, from sentiments 
 of kindness, or from a conviction of their general poverty, 
 ministers were usually exempted from taxation. Mr. Lam- 
 bert grew up with the feeling, that they should not be taxed. 
 He manifested reluctance to sxrbmit to what men of his 
 profession had generally escaped, to be subjected to treat- 
 ment so singular, thinking, it may be, that it would be the 
 establishment of a precedent of extensive and unfavorable 
 influence. This, with some other things, was made a pre- 
 text, upon which some were ready to seize, for declining 
 further assessment of the town for his suj^port. His salary 
 not being raised as usual, he made a proposal that was com- 
 phed with, which resulted in the termination of Ms connec- 
 tion with the people, as their religious teacher, and pastor 
 of the church. Mr. Lambert continued his residence in 
 Lyme till his death, eighteen years after the dissolution of 
 his pastoral relation. The town evinced that they had not 
 lost confidence in him, by sending him, directly after his 
 dismission, for eiglit successive years to the State legislature 
 as their representative. At his last election, he informed 
 the town, that the lienor they had long conferred on him 
 should be given to some other, and that he must decline the 
 further reception of their suffrages. His solicitude for the 
 general good of his neighbors and townsmen, for the peace 
 and purity of the church, and the universal prevalence of 
 morals and religion, was distinctly and consistently exlribit- 
 ed. As he was particular and precise in all his business 
 and movements, some esteemed him penurious, but if this 
 was ever true of him, it is believed he gradually triumphed 
 over the passion, and increased in liberality as he increased 
 in years. An eminent minister, who was intimately 
 acquainted with him from the time of his settlement in 
 Lyme till his death, remarked that he never knew a man, 
 dismissed in such circumstances, and remaining in the place, 
 whose conduct was so excellent as Mr. Lambert's, — a 
 remark in which lii-s successors, who had so fully his sympa- 
 thy and cooperation, were prepared to concur. Some little 
 time after the dismission of Mr. Lambert, the venerable Mr. 
 Hobart of Berlin, Vt., came to Lyme, and visited the peo- 
 ple, and preached with great fidelity and zeal, and his labors 
 were attended with very beneficial results. The church was 
 awaked from a long sleep — the minds of the people were 
 religiously impressed ; some were making the inquiry of the 
 
LYME. 563 
 
 jailer ; and some were rejoicing, as the Psalmist, in having 
 had a new song put into their mouth. 
 
 In this interesting state of things, Mr. Baxter Perry, a 
 licentiate from Andover, came to Lyme September 1820. — 
 He entered into this work, with his characteristic ardor and 
 energy, and was eminently prospered in his endeavors. He 
 was permitted to commence his ministry with a powerful 
 baptism of the Holy Ghost, and to prosecute it long, amid 
 the outpourings of the Spirit, and ingathering of souls, in 
 large numbers, into the fold of the G-reat Shepherd. Mr. 
 Perry was horn at Worcester, Ms., April 16, 1792 — gradu- 
 ated at Cambridge 1817, and at Andover 1820. He was 
 settled at Lyme Jan. 3, 1821, and died Jan. 18, 1830, after 
 a ministry of nine years ; 172 members were added to the 
 church during his ministry. Mr. Perry had not the plain- 
 ness that rendered him the subject of remark abroad, as the 
 first minister of LjTne ; neither was he particular and precise 
 like his immediate jJredecessor. Efforts in the temperance 
 reformation were employed in Lyme, earlier than in any 
 other place in the vicinity, and soon after the commence- 
 ment of the reformation in the country. His labors in the 
 cause, in connection with the memorable temperance 
 address* in the town hall, Jan. 6, 1827, and which has gone 
 the world over, gave a blow to intemperance in Lyme, that 
 stunned the monster ; a blow, the influence of which has not 
 ceased to be felt, and which, through the continued endeav- 
 ors of temperance men, in the face of not a little opposition, 
 has, to a great extent, triumphed in its suppression. Since 
 the settlement of the town, fourteen young men have enter- 
 ed the ministry. Not long after the settlement of the first 
 minister, there came to Lyme a class of men who apj^reciated 
 the institutions both of education and religion — men who 
 looked upon these institutions, as did the Puritan Fathers, 
 as lying at the foundation of prosperity, as inseparable from 
 all political, intellectual, moral, and religious elevation. — 
 Through their influence, attention was turned, more than 
 before, to the education of the youth, and an influence was 
 felt in tlfis direction, which continued to increase, not rap- 
 idly, but gradually, till common schools were thoroughly 
 organized, and conducted with a good degree of fidelity and 
 interest. From the beginning of its settlement, attention 
 was directed to the establishment and maintenance of reli- 
 gious institutions. And this attention did not diminish, as 
 resources and numbers increased. These institutions they 
 must have in some form, and they did have them. If they 
 
 *Kittredg:e's Address. 
 
 to 
 
564 
 
 GRAFTON COUNTY. 
 
 could not procure for themselves a commodious and tasteful 
 structure, as a place of worship, they could resort, in mild 
 seasons, to the barn, and in inclement weather to a humble 
 private dwelling, to offer their sacrifices. They must build 
 somewhere their public altars. These altars were not only 
 built, they were visited, and upon them the fire was kept 
 burning. All available means to get to the place of their 
 rehgious assemblages were resorted to. The weak and the 
 infirm, the aged and the young, no less than the middle 
 aged and the strong, must be there, though the sled and 
 oxen must be called into requisition for the purpose. The 
 frame of the barn, where the first minister was ordained, 
 and where the first settlers were accustomed to meet for 
 public worship, has l^een carefully preserved by one of their 
 excellent descendants, and is standing, as a monument of 
 their religious habits, in the very place where the incense 
 of their devotion went up to Heaven. The impression of 
 these fathers relative to the influence of the institutions of 
 education and rchgion, was consistently developed, and 
 through its development they have left their mark. The 
 impressions, in regard to religion and education, of the early 
 inhabitants of Lyme, were probably deepened by the labors 
 of Eleazer Wheelock, the first president of Dartmouth col- 
 lege, which, through his occasional missionary visits, they 
 had the privilege of enjoying. His was a sun whose beams 
 of light were shed upon this whole horizon ; his, a benevo- 
 lence, a zeal for education and religion, that was felt, that 
 was diffusive ; whose salutary influence blest not this vicin- 
 ity only, but New England, and the world. To these im- 
 pressions of the early population of Lyme and the mode of 
 their expression, must be attributed the general harmony of 
 feeling, the habits of industry, and secular prosperity, with 
 which the people of the town have been distinguished, in the 
 different periods of its existence. The successor of Mr. 
 Perry, Kev. E. Tenny, was settled one year after his decease, 
 Jan. 5, 1831. Since that time, there have been received 
 into the church 482 individuals, making in all, of which it 
 has been constituted, during the eighty three years of its 
 existence, 842 members.. These were nearly all received by 
 profession, while a large proportion of those that constitute 
 the churches in fast growing villages and cities, are added 
 by letter. June 2, 1819, the town voted that Abel Frank- 
 lin, David Conant, Moses Flint, and their associates have 
 liberty to be incorporated into a religious society, by the 
 name of the First Calvinistic Baptist Society of Lyme. — 
 The society was organized, and went into efficient and sue- 
 
OKFORD. 565 
 
 cessful operation. It lias had the services of several able 
 and faithful ministers. It has been blessed with revivals 
 of religion. Large niimbers have been added to the chnrch. 
 In the light of this account we see that the early impres- 
 sions upon a place, like the first impressions of a civilized 
 upon a savage tribe of men, will be deep and abiding. We 
 see too, onr obligations, gratefully to recognize the divine 
 hand in the occurrences that may be traced in the history 
 of the town, and to be conformed to what is excellent in the 
 spirit and jiractice of the fathers, that have given form and 
 coloring to the institutions and habits of the place. 
 
 OKFOED.- 
 
 The settlement of this town was commenced in 1765, by 
 five or six families which removed to it from Connecticut, 
 Others soon followed them. In April, 1767, a plantation 
 meeting was called, and the inhabitants organized them- 
 selves into a civil community by the choice of town officers. 
 They prized religious institutions ; and in April 1769, raised 
 £20 to support preaching, and selected a committee to hire 
 a minister. On the 27th of August, 1770, a church was or- 
 ganized, on the Presbyterian platform, by Rev. Peter Pow- 
 ers, of Newbury, Vt. It consisted of twenty members. In 
 the former part of 1771, a Mr. Hurlburt preached here a few 
 Sabbaths. In the autumn, Nov. 5, Mr. Obadiah Noble was 
 ordained as pastor of the church and town. The terms of- 
 fered him by the town were, £ 60 settlement, and £ 40 sal- 
 ary for the first year, to be increased by £ 2 annually till it 
 should reach £60. The scarcity of money in these early 
 times caused most business to be done by barter, and a bar- 
 gain to be estimated by the value of produce. It was hence 
 provided that the £60 settlement of Mr. Noble should be 
 paid in materials for building, and labor ; and his salary in 
 wheat at four shillings per bushel, rye at three shillings, com 
 at two shillings, and oats at one shilling and three pence. 
 He was also to be furnished with twenty cords of good fire- 
 wood annually. At his settlement, the town appears to 
 have received encouragement from the jiroprietors of land in 
 the township of assistance in supporting him, which was not 
 realized, and, as a consec[uence, in December, 1777, he was 
 dismissed. Little is now known of the events which oc- 
 curred during his ministry, except that a few months before 
 
 * Sketch by Rct. Joiham Sewall. ■ . 
 
566 
 
 GRAFTON COUNTY. 
 
 his dismission, the church adopted wliat is called " the half 
 way covenant," granting to persons of outwardly moral lives, 
 who assented to the Articles of Faith, the privilege of bap- 
 tism for their cliildren. Previous to June, 1782, (but at 
 what time is not known,) six members had been added to 
 the church. 
 
 In 1781, a Mr. Noah Miller was requested by the town to 
 settle ; but for some reason, his settlement was not effected. 
 Various other efforts were made for a number of years, and 
 with more or less success, to procure preaching. In 1787, 
 on the 3d of October, Kev. John Sawyer was ordained pastor. 
 The provisions made for his support strikingly illustrates the 
 necessities of the times, and the prevalence of barter transac- 
 tions. His salary was to be two hundred and forty Imshels 
 of wheat, at six shillings per bushel, increased, after the first 
 year, by eight bushels annually till it amounted to three hun- 
 dred and thirty six bushels ; and a settlement of six hundred 
 and sixty seven bushels, to be paid in four annual instal- 
 ments. Mr. Sawyer was a son of one of the earlier settlers, 
 and was a lad when his father removed to the place. He 
 graduated at Dartmouth college in 1785. On the 6th of 
 June previous to his settlement, the church re-called the vote 
 which had placed it on the ground of " the half way cove- 
 nant ;" and on the 23d of April, 1789, it withdrew from the 
 Grafton Presbytery, with which it had been connected, and 
 became Congregational. 
 
 Erom June 1782 to June 1785, under the labors of tran- 
 sient ministers, 33 were gathered into the church. But dur- 
 ing Mr. Sawyer's ministry, disorders existed which required 
 the frecjuent exercise of discipline. The attention to this 
 which he felt it his duty to give, excited toward him some 
 ill will, which contributed, with other things, to render his 
 ministry short. He was dismissed Dec. 17, 1795. During 
 the nine years of his pastorate here, though laborious and 
 faithful, (as he is believed to have been,) he received only six 
 members to the church. After the dismission of Mr. Saw- 
 yer, Eev. Stephen Wdliams labored here, but how long is 
 uncertain. In 1799, a Mr. William Forsythe was requested 
 to settle. But a disaffection arose which occasioned a re- 
 monstrance to be made to the council convened to ordain 
 him, in consequence of which he was only ordained as an 
 evangelist. He was followed by Mr. Sylvester Dana, who, 
 May 20, 1801, was placed over the church as its pastor. — 
 The provision made for his support was $666.67 settlement, 
 in two annual instalments, and $400 salar3^ He remained 
 pastor of the church for twenty one years. And his labors 
 
OEFORD. 667 
 
 appear to have been successful. In 1810 and in 1819 revi- 
 vals existed of considerable extent and power, which resulted 
 in important additions to the church. During his ministry, 
 190 members were added. He was a firm friend of missions, 
 and urged on his people the duty of active benevolence. — 
 Previous to Mr. Dana's settlement, two Meeting-houses were 
 erected, one on the river, and the other three miles east of it. 
 In these he preached alternately, till, near the time of his 
 dismission, he suspended his labors in the east Meeting- 
 house. Difficulties had now arisen in the church and among 
 the people, which resulted in his dismission April 30, 1822. 
 The next day, (May 1,) the council being still in session, 24 
 members were dismissed from the church, and organized into 
 a separate Congregational church, to worship in the west 
 Meeting-house. To this Mr. Dana continued to minister, 
 preaching in that Meeting-house half the time, and half the 
 time in Fairlee, Vt. 
 
 Not long after Mr. Dana's settlement, other denomina- 
 tions began to obtain footing in the town ; and various indi- 
 viduals availed themselves of the opportunity granted to 
 them by the law of withdrawing from among his suj^porters. 
 As the number of seceders increased, the town, after the dis- 
 solution of its contract with him, not long before his dismis- 
 sion, ceased to act on the question of sustaining the minis- 
 try ; and in April 1820 a society was formed for the purpose, 
 styled, "The Orford Union Congregational Society." This 
 society adhered to the original church, in connection with 
 which it was organized. The church, (now proj)erly denom- 
 inated The First, or East,) in August, 1822, invited Mr. 
 James D. Farnsworth to become its pastor. He accepted, 
 and was ordained June 1, 1823. His salary was $ 500. Mr. 
 Farnsworth preached, as his predecessor had done, alternate- 
 ly in the two houses. During his ministry, the place pre- 
 sented the somewhat unpleasant anomaly of two ministers 
 of the same denomination, pastors of sister churches, living 
 within a few rods of each other, and preaching alternately in 
 the same house of worship. Mr. Farnsworth was an accep- 
 table preacher, and possessed many good qualities as a pas- 
 tor. Soon after his settlement, Bible classes, Sabbath schools, 
 and catechetical exercises for children, were instituted. In 
 1826, the awakening and converting influences of the Spirit 
 were shed upon his charge, and 43 were added to the church 
 by profession. In 1831, the dews of heavenly grace descend- 
 ed on a portion of his field of labor, and 17 were gathered 
 into the church. This merciful visitation appears to have 
 continued into the following year ; and some thirty or forty 
 
568 GRAFTON COUNTY. 
 
 expressed a hope of having hecome new creatures. During 
 his ministry, we find notices, more or less frequent, of con- 
 tributions, by the church and people, to different objects of 
 Christian benevolence. He was much beloved, and his dis- 
 mission, which occurred April 9, 1832, was generally lament- 
 ed. Difliculty of support was the cause. The church and 
 society gave the most honorable testimonials of their affec- 
 tion for him, and their appreciation of him. He received to 
 the church during his ministry 102 members. At his dis- 
 mission it embraced 172. 
 
 For eleven years the church was now destitute of a pastor. 
 It was supplied half the time, for some five years, by Kev. S-. 
 Davis. After him, Kev. Lot B. Sullivan preached a year ; 
 and after him, Eev. Joseph Marsh for nearly three years. — 
 These labors appear not to have been in vain, since, during 
 these eleven years, fifty three persons were received to the 
 church. 
 
 June 26, 1845, Mr. Andrew B. Foster was ordained as 
 pastor here. In addition to a parsonage, containing a few 
 acres of mowing and a few of pasturing, he received a salary 
 of $ 350 ; and the society, though small, were pretty liberal 
 in the way of presents. Mr. Foster was popular as a preach- 
 er. Public worship was well attended ; the Sabbath school 
 flourished ; and things appeared prosperous. But his min- 
 istry here was short. His health failed, and he requested 
 dismission, which was reluctantly granted him, Nov. 22, 
 1847. Ten were added to the church during his ministry. 
 Eev. Edwin E. Hodgman was here one year, and they had 
 other occasional supplies. 
 
 In October, 1851, Eev. Jotham Sewall commenced labor- 
 ing here ; and was installed Feb. 16, 1853. The support 
 afforded him was $350, with neat, new parsonage buildings 
 and a garden spot. To this was added the article of fire- 
 wood, and sundry other valuable helps. The society raises 
 the salary by subscription ; excepting that the avails of a 
 farm, given about the year 1800 for the support of the min- 
 istry by a widow Spooner and renting for $57, are divided 
 equally between this and the other Congregational society. 
 He received eight members to the church ; he was dismissed 
 in 1855. 
 
 Nearly eighty five years ago this church was organized. 
 Including the original members, 425 have been received to 
 its fellowship. But it is now much reduced. For a number 
 of years, the population of the town has been diminishing. 
 Between 1840 and 1850, it lost 300 inhabitants. And the 
 church has had large drafts made upon it by dismissions and 
 
ORFOED. 5^9 
 
 deaths. It contains, now, 86 members ; and nearly half of 
 these are non-resident — some are in parts unknown. Bap- 
 tisms of children, 461, but, for some years past, this impor- 
 tant ordinance has received far less attention than formerly. 
 But, only 65 out of 425 were baptized at the time of admis- 
 sion to the church. The proportion of those received from 
 the world who were bajitized in infancy was as three or four 
 to one. Nine men, who may be regarded as sons of this 
 church, have entered the Congregational or Presbyterian 
 ministry ; among whom is Eev. John Sawyer, second pastor 
 of this church, now residing in Garland, Me,, and still able 
 to preach some, though an hundred years old ; also, Cyrus 
 Mann, Joel Mann, Eoyal Mann, Daniel C. Blood, Daniel 
 Newell, I. Morey, and John Wheeler, former President of 
 Burlington college. Five Methodist ministers have arisen 
 here. The average size of the congregation is less than one 
 hundred. The amount annually contributed to different ob- 
 jects of Christian benevolence is about sixty doUars. In the 
 easterly part of the town, worship is maintained a part of 
 the time by Methodists and Freewill Baptists ; but, on an 
 average, less than one half. Those who may be called regu- 
 lar attendants on public worship, (and a part of these only a 
 portion of the time,) in a population of 1400, cannot exceed 
 four hundred, and, proljably, falls considerably short of that. 
 This is thought to be a smaller proportion of the inhaljitants 
 than attended jiublic worsliip forty years ago. And it is a 
 painful fact, that many of the descendants of early church 
 members and others who constantly visited the sanctuary, 
 are seldom if ever seen within a house of worship. 
 
 OKFOKD. 
 
 West CnoBcH.— Rev. W. A. Smith. 
 
 The West Congregational church of Orford was organized 
 by an,jccclesiastical council April 30, 1822. Its members 
 had previously been connected with the First Congregational 
 church — 28 persons united with it at its organization. Eev. 
 Sylvester Dana was its first pastor. He was installed Feb. 
 19, 1823. Its first deacons were, Asaph Eice elected May 
 22, 1822 ; Isaac Drake elected Oct. 7, 1825 ; Joshua Swift 
 elected March 22, 1827. A Sabbath School was established 
 at the formation of the church and has ever since been 
 maintained. During Mr. Dana's ministry, the church enjoy- 
 ed some seasons of special interest, and 102 members were 
 37 
 
570 
 
 GRAFTON COUNTY. 
 
 added to it. Mr. Dana was dismissed Jan. 1, 1833. At the 
 same time the Congregational church of Fairlee was consti- 
 tuted, and 32 members of this church were dismissed to con- 
 nect themselves with that church. After Mr. Dana's dis- 
 mission, the Eev. Nathaniel Lambert supplied the desk for 
 a few jnonths. April 8, 1833, the church extended a call 
 to Eev. Daniel Campbell : it was accepted, and he was 
 installed May 29, 1833. June 20, 1833, Mr. Nathan Dewey 
 was chosen deacon. Sept. 1, 1838, Mr. Peter Marston and 
 Mr. Jonathan Clark were chosen deacons. During Mr. 
 Campbell's ministry 61 members were added to the church. 
 Mr. Campbell requested a dismission Aug. 1, 1847, and was 
 dismissed by an ecclesiastical council Sept. 7, 1847. Mr. 
 Campbell continued to reside in Orford till his death, which 
 occurred Oct. 1, 1849. 
 
 Eev. William Clark commenced his labors with the church 
 April 2, 1848. Ho was ordained and installed May 17, 1849. 
 Mr. T. D. Eowell was cliosen deacon Nov. 5, 1851. During 
 Mr. Clark's ministry, the church was blessed with a season of 
 special religious interest, resulting in an accession of 22 mem- 
 bers — 32 were added to the church under his ministry. Mr. 
 Clark was dismissed at his own request by a council called 
 for the purpose, April 22, 1852. Mr. Clark is now a mis- 
 sionary of the A. B. C. F. Missions in Arabkir. Eev. Ira 
 Case commenced his labors with this church in Oct. 1852, 
 and was ordained and installed Nov. 30, 1852. Mr. Henry 
 Blanchard was chosen deacon of this church June 1, 1853. 
 Mr. Case asked a dismission June 10, 1854, on account of 
 the inadequacy of his support. 
 
 Eev. W. A. Smith is now supplying the church on a tem- 
 porary engagement. Since the organization of the church, 
 about 80 members have been dismissed to join other churches, 
 and a considerable number have been removed by death. — 
 The church now consists of 75 members. The church has 
 adopted the practice of contributing regularly to objects of 
 benevolence. Within a few years a handsome church edifice 
 has been built, and a convenient parsonage has been pur- 
 chased. The prospects of the church are encouraging. 
 
 PIEEMONT. 
 
 Rev. I. Davis. 
 
 The Congregational church in Piermont was formed in 
 1771. In 1776, Kev.John Richards was settled as their 
 
PLYMOUTH. 571 
 
 pastor. He was dismissed in 1802 ; died in 1814 aged 89 
 years. The church was re-organizcd Marcli 10, 1803, under 
 the direction of Kev. James HoLart of BerUn, Vt. The 
 cause of this re-organization is not fidly known. But it is 
 believed that the church under Mr. Richards acted upon the 
 half way covenant, and that part of the first church went to 
 Haverhill church, and part united in forming the new church. 
 March 10, 1803, 29 persons were formed into a church and 
 adopted new articles of faith and covenant. 
 
 In Feb. 1811, Eev. Jonathan Hovey was settled as pastor, 
 and was dismissed Feb. 1817, as appears from the testimony 
 of aged members of the church. The records being very 
 defective, the dates may not be entirely accurate. Rev. 
 Robert Blake commenced his labors here in 1821, according 
 to the Minutes of the General Association, and continued 
 them till 1836. He was an acceptable and useful minister 
 of Christ. Eighty three were added to the church during 
 his ministry. The remembrance of him is still precious to 
 this people. Rev. Edward Fuller labored in this licld from 
 1836 to 1840. During his ministry six persons were added 
 by letter and one by profession. 
 
 Rev.. Increase Davis commenced his laliors liere, April 
 1840, and has continued them to the jiresent time. There 
 have been during this time three revivals of religion. In the 
 space of thirteen consecutive months 55 were added to the 
 church. Eighty five have united with the church during 
 Mr. Davis' ministry, and great harmony lias prevailed in the 
 church. Weekly prayer meetings have been constantly 
 maintained. The whole number of memliers at present is 
 106 — males 72, females 34. May the church in her inmost 
 heart say, " My soul thirsteth for God." 
 
 PLYMOUTH.* 
 
 Rev. W. R. Je\vett. 
 
 This town was granted in 1763. Quite a number of men 
 from HoUis entered the town the next year, and their inter- 
 est in the kingdom of God is manifest in tlic fact that before 
 two years had expired they formed a church. This church 
 was gathered, not on the ground, but in Hollis, and went 
 into the wilderness beneath the banner of Christ as their 
 avowed Leader and King. The same year, 1765, after the 
 organization of the church Rev. Nathan Ward Avas ordained 
 
 * Sketch by Compiler. ' 
 
572 GRAFTON COUNTY. 
 
 as their pastor. This too was done at Newburyport, Ms., 
 July 10, 1765. The pastor inducted into office at one place, 
 the church constituted at another, thereby bringing upon 
 them the united and fervent prayers of many hearts, meet 
 the few people scattered over the hills of Plymouth and 
 receive their welcome and their blessing. Mr. Ward labored 
 here till Jan. 4, 1798, when he was dismissed ; he died in 
 June 1804, aged 83 years. He was minister about twenty 
 nine years. He was converted under Whitefield, and im- 
 bibed much of his spirit. He pressed the doctrines of the 
 gospel upon the heart. Eev. Jonathan Ward, now well 
 known in the State for his love of doctrinal truth, is his son. 
 
 Two seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, 
 blessed his ministry. The first occurred about two years 
 after his settlement, and about twenty were brought into the 
 church. This must have been a large number in so small a 
 population. Another revival occurred in 1790. 
 
 Kev. Drury Fairbank was ordained, after an interim of 
 two years, Jan. 8, 1800, and dismissed March 18, 1818 — a 
 ministry of eighteen years. He is found among the mem- 
 bers of the General Association in 1811. In 1816 a revival 
 was enjoyed here and sweet were its fruits. He left the 
 church at his dismission with about sixty members. 
 
 The same year (1818) Eev. Jonathan Ward was engaged 
 to pireach, and continued until September 1829. The bless- 
 ing of Grod at once attended him. The church received 
 quite an accession of members, and during his ministry some 
 40 or 50 persons were added to the church. 
 
 Kev. George Punchard was ordained March 11, 1830 — 
 dismissed in 1844. At this time the heavens were opening 
 over all parts of the land to pour down salvation. But 
 upon few ministers have such signal marks of tlie divine 
 approval in the form of continued success been placed, as 
 are found in this case. For three years the heavens seemed 
 to give a rain of righteousness. In the first year of his 
 labors 33, in the second 28, in the third 46 were added 
 to the church — 107 in three years. More than IGO were 
 added to the church in this pastorate, most of them by pro- 
 fession. The church at one time numbered 199. But his 
 health declined and he was obliged to desist from his work. 
 He is author of an interesting work on our church polity. 
 
 The present pastor, Eev. Wm. E. Jewett, was installed 
 June 25, 1845. He is laborious and afi'ectionate, and 
 deserves well at their hands. The church had declined in 
 numbers somewhat from its best estate when he entered the 
 field. It numbered not far from 150. About sixty have 
 
THORNTON. . 573 
 
 been added under the present pastorate. May this church 
 ever possess the spirit and principles which the law of asso- 
 ciation always couples with the endeared name — Plymouth. 
 
 THOENTON.* 
 
 The town of Thornton was first settled in 1770. The 
 first settlers were anxious to have the gospel preached among 
 them. As early as the year 1778 or '79, the Rev. Experience 
 Estabrook was preaching among the people. April 11th, 
 1780, a church was organized consisting of 12 members. — 
 The church was organized in the presence and by the assist- 
 ance of Rev. Nathan Ward pastor of the church in Plym- 
 outh, and Rev. Selden Church pastor of the church in Camp- 
 ton. On the same day, a " Call" was given to Mr. Esta- 
 brook to settle, signed by all the male members of the 
 church, eight in number. It was agreed that if any diflfer- 
 ence should arise between them which they could not settle, 
 " it should be left to the Grafton Presbytery, until some 
 Presbytery or Association should be formed nearer." Mr. 
 Estabrook was ordained as pastor of the church Aug. 2.3, 
 1780. As near as can be ascertained, this church joined the 
 Grafton Presbytery in the year 1781. About this time, 
 some difiiculty arose in the church in consequence of a man 
 not being willing to have his child baptized, his wife being 
 a member of the church. The next difficulty was with a 
 member for driving his team on the Sabbath farther than 
 was allowed. But upon his saying " that he would not do 
 it again unless very necessary," the chiirch were satisfied. 
 June 11, 1786, the church "voted to choose three church 
 officers to act in the double capacity of deacons and ruling 
 elders." It was in this year that Mr. Estabrook was dis- 
 missed. During Mr. Estabrooks' ministry, six years after 
 the formation of the church, it had increased from twelve to 
 forty nine members. He preached in a log school house in 
 the winter, and in barns during the summer. In December 
 1786, Mr. Estabrook proposed for a dismission. Whereupon 
 a town meeting was immediately called, when it was " voted 
 that a committee of five be ajipointed to consult with Mr. 
 Estabrook, and see upon what terms he is willing to be dis- 
 missed." The following is his answer : — 
 
 " Thornton, Dec. 26, 1786. 
 
 This may certify that I am wilhng, and do hereby bind 
 
 » Sketch by Wm. G. Brown. 
 
574 GRAFTON COUNTY. 
 
 myself, (if the people in this town see fit to dismiss me 
 from the work of the ministry,) to resign up, and give Lack 
 to the town as much of what the town gave me on settle- 
 ment, as indifferent men shall judge I ought to give up. As 
 witness my hand. Exp. Estabeook." 
 
 Then, " voted to dismiss Ecv. Exp. Estabrook from the 
 pastoral charge of this town." Also, " voted not to refer 
 the above mentioned terms to indifferent men." 
 
 Mr. Noah Worcester united with the church in 1783. He 
 came into the town a year or two previous, purchased a 
 tract of land upon which he worked a part of the time, and 
 a part of the time at his trade, (a shoemaker,) while another 
 portion of his time he spent in study. Having an active 
 and vigorous mind, he soon aci|uired at his own fireside such 
 literary knowledge, that the degree of A. M. was conferred 
 upon him by the faculty of Dartmouth college. About the 
 time that Mr. Estabrook was dismissed, Mr. Worcester con- 
 templated entering the ministry. " June 2, 1787, voted to 
 settle Mr. Worcester as a minister of the town." The ordi- 
 nation of Mr. Worcester took place in October 1787 in the 
 open field. 
 
 In 1789 the Meeting-house was built, the payment for 
 building materials being made in " wheat, rye, corn, and 
 flax." The following record is also made, " Mr. Eankin of- 
 fered one gallon of rum, as his part of the spirit, for raising 
 the Meeting-house." In 1793 it was voted, " that the Meet- 
 ing-house be sweejoed six times a year, by a Saxon, chosen 
 by vendue." Nearly all the families, within eight or ten 
 miles of the Meetiug-house, were in the habit of punctually 
 attending meeting on the Sabbath. A church covenant was 
 adopted when the church was formed in 1780, which was re- 
 vised in 1790 ; in 1806, a new church covenant, articles of 
 faith, and church practice was adopted. Some of the earlier 
 members of the church were from Scotland, and received cer- 
 tificates of church membership, before leaving their native 
 land. A copy of one we will here introduce, and in connec- 
 tion with it relate a mournful incident : " These do certify 
 that the Bearer hereof, Duncan McDearmid and Elisabeth 
 McLallan his Spouse, are natives of this Parish of Fortingall, 
 (County of Perth) Resided amongst us mostly from their 
 Infancy s, behaving themselves Soberly and houestly, free of 
 Church Scandal, or any Ground of Censure known to us ; 
 and have been Communicants with us for several years by 
 past." Signed by the Minister and Elders. While Mr. Mc- 
 Dearmid and family were crossing the water, in coming to 
 this country, he was taken sick and died. As they were 
 
THORNTON. ' 575 
 
 about committing the body to a watery grave, a large shark 
 was observed, keeping close to the vessel. Mrs. McDearmid 
 could not consent to have the body of her husband thus 
 buried, so it was concluded to keei^ it on board till the next 
 day. But the shark followed the vessel a week, at the end 
 of which time they arrived at New York, where the body was 
 committed to its mother earth. 
 
 Mr. Worcester continued his labors, as a minister of the 
 town, till about the year 1808 or 1809, when he went away, 
 and as was exjiected, to come back again ; but ho never 
 came back to preach much. But he was still the })astor of 
 the church until 1817, when that relation was dissolved by 
 the Plymouth Association, which, as was sometimes done in 
 those days, at the request of the church, resolved itself into 
 a council. During his ministry, about sixty five persons 
 united with the church, mostly by profession. It appears 
 that a good degree of harmony existed in the church most 
 of the time that Mr. Worcester preached, till near the close 
 of his labors, when he embraced the Unitarian views respect- 
 ing the Divinity of Christ. About this time, he wrote and 
 published a book, entitled, " Bible News," in which he ad- 
 vocated the above mentioned views of Christ's Divinity. — 
 This caused a division in the church, some of its members 
 inclining with Mr. Worcester, and walked no more with the 
 church. No minister fell in with his views except his broth- 
 er. Nothing was done by the town for the support of preach- 
 ing, after he left town. 
 
 Until 1823, the church was supplied with preaching but 
 part of the time. The names of the ministers who supplied 
 the desk, were Washburn, Bemis, Browm, Webber, and Dr. 
 Spicer. The church appears to have been in a low state. — 
 In 1820, a religious society was formed, and chartered by the 
 name of the " United Congregational Society in Thornton." 
 Shortly after its formation, it numbered 65 members. This 
 society immediately voted to build a new Meeting-house, 
 which was completed in 1822, at a cost of $3000. In 1824, 
 a parsonage was built, which cost $700, and which is now 
 owned by the society. At the dedication of the Meeting- 
 bouse, the following items of expenses, incurred by ministers 
 and delegates, were charged to the society: — "Amount for 
 victualling 54 persons, $9.00; for brandy and W. I. rum, 
 $ 5.00 ; for sugar;, $ 1.00 ; total, $ 15.00. In a prayer, ofi'ered 
 by the Rev. Mr. Sutherland, at the dedication of the Meet- 
 ing-house, the following expression, relative to the pulpit, 
 was used : " Lord, may no unclean bird ever be permitted 
 to enter this cage." And it is worthy of remark, that of the 
 
576 GHAFTON COUNTY. 
 
 ten ministers, who have since successively ministered the 
 Word of Life to this church and people, from this pulpit, 
 not one has been known to bring reproach upon his profes- 
 sion, or a wound upon the cause of Christ. 
 
 Eev. Andrew Rankin commenced his labors here in 1823, 
 and was settled in 1824. During the first and second 
 years, 33 joined the church ; of tins number, 20 joined at 
 one time. Mr. Eanldn was dismissed Feb. 4, 1829. He was 
 an efficient laborer. In 1825, a new church Covenant, and 
 Confession of Faith, was adopted. There were admitted to 
 the church during Mr. Eankiii's ministry in the town, which 
 was nearly six years, 46 persons, mostly by profession. The 
 church, during a part of tliis time, had severe trials and diffi- 
 culties to pass through. It appears that labor was taken up 
 with a number of the members, most of whom, on their con- 
 fession to the church, were restored. But one individual, a 
 prominent member, was finally cut off from the church. He 
 soon after professed to be a Universalist, and about this time, 
 a number of the members of the society embraced the same 
 views, and these, together with many others, for various rea- 
 sons, left the society, so that in 1837 only eight members 
 belonged to it. 
 
 In June 1829, Eev. Kiah Bayley was engaged to preach, 
 and continued his lalwrs with the church about three years. 
 Under his ministry four persons were received to the church 
 by letter and three by profession. Soon after he left, the 
 Eev. Sylvester Dana was hired to preach, and continued 
 with the church nearly three years. As nearly as we can 
 learn, 29 persons were taken into the church during his min- 
 istry, most of them by letter. The church was first assisted 
 by the New Hampshire Missionary Society while Mr. Dana 
 was here. The aid received was $ 100. In September 1837, 
 Eev. James Thompson was engaged to preach, and labored 
 with the church and people two years. Aid received from 
 Missionary Society, $ 100. No persons admitted to the 
 church under his ministry except himself and wife. March 
 1838, a confession of faith and church covenant was pre- 
 pared and adopted, the old one ha\'ing got misplaced, not 
 having been copied into the church book. After Mr. Thomp- 
 son left, the Eev. Jonathan Ward preached for about one 
 year. This was in 1840. Jan. 12, 1841, Eev. Samuel Kings- 
 bury commenced ministerial labors here. He preached nearly 
 two years, was aided by the Missionary Society $ 100. Four 
 persons were received to the church by profession while Mr. 
 Kingsbury was here. After Mr. Kingsbury left, the church 
 hired preaching for a few weeks or months at a time, for 
 
THORNTON. 577 
 
 about three years. The ministers who were thus hired, 
 were Kev. Jonathan "Ward, Eev. Mr. Wason and Rev. Wor- 
 cester Willey, now missionary among the Cherokee Indians. 
 No additions to the church during this period. It appears 
 to_ have been in a broken state, and religion loiv. In 
 December 1844, the Eev. WiUiam P. Gale was unanimously 
 invited by the church to become their pastor, Avhich request 
 was complied with. He was ordained to the pastoral care 
 of the church Jan. 1, 1845, after it had been without a pas- 
 tor nearly sixteen years. The church agreed to pay Mr. Grale 
 $ 200 per year and the use of the parsonage, he also receiving 
 $ 100 a year from the Missionary Society. He remained 
 with the church a little more than seven years, and finally 
 left for want of support, in February 1851. During his 
 ministry, six persons were received to the church by letter, 
 and one by profession. The second year of Mr. Gale's min- 
 istry, the society increased from seven to sixteen members. 
 At the time Mr. Gale left, the Rev. James Hobart was 
 engaged to preach. He labored with the church and peojde 
 for about twenty months. One pjerson was received to the 
 church by letter while he was here. It appears that there 
 have been four revivals of religion in the church since its 
 formation, seventy five years ago, viz : two under Mr. Wor- 
 cester's preaching, one under Mr. Eankin's, and one under 
 Mr. Dana's. The church has had four settled ministers, 
 viz : Mr. Estabrook, Mr. Worcester, Mr. Eankin and Mr. 
 Gale. The largest number belonging to the church at any 
 one time was 75 — about the year 1826. The whole number 
 of persons which have been recei\ed into the church since 
 its formation as nearly as can be ascertained, is 210. The 
 present number of resident church members is nine. There 
 are only four acting male members, and two of these arc 
 intending to remove, so that the mournful question involun- 
 tarily arises in the minds of the little remnant left, " By 
 ■whom shall Jacob arise ?" The society own a large Meeting- 
 house and a convenient parsonage that are fast going to 
 decay. Since 1824, 77 persons have been baptized — mostly 
 children. There are in town two small Freewill Baptist 
 churches, one Methodist church, a Universalist society and 
 a few Calvinist Baptists. There are 230 families in the 
 town, and probably not more than 150 persons in the whole 
 town are regular in their attendance upon public worship on 
 the Sabbath. There are about 60 families in the town, 
 where either one or both the heads of the family are profess- 
 edly pious, and yet it is thought there are but about eight- 
 teen or twenty of these families that regularly have family 
 worship. The Sabbath is most awfully desecrated in the town. 
 
578 GEAFTON COUNTY. 
 
 WENTWORTH. 
 
 Rev. I. Davis. 
 
 This town was incorporated Nov. 1, 1776. The inhab- 
 itants enjoyed Congregational preaching only occasionally 
 until about 1830, when Eev. James Hobart spent some 
 months among them. In the time of his labors a church 
 was organized, consisting of eight members. Rev. Increase 
 S. Davis assisted in the organization of the church, and was 
 invited to preach to them and settle with them. He com- 
 menced his labors among them the following May, and im- 
 mediately the Spirit was poured out, and about one hundred 
 professed a hope in Christ. 
 
 Mr. Davis was installed pastor of the church June 20, 
 1833. The work of grace continued for two years, and about 
 sixty were added to the church. Since that time two sea- 
 sons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord have oc- 
 curred, and 30 more have been added, making 98 in all who 
 have belonged to the church — 34 males and 64 females. — 
 There are now 45 members. Several have moved away, and 
 others have died. The state of this community calls loudly 
 for the prayers of God's people in behalf of Zion. 
 
 WEST LEBANON. 
 
 Rev. RuFus Case. 
 
 This church was organized by an ecclesiastical council 
 convened for the purpose, Nov. 8, 1849. It consisted of 44 
 members, mostly from the church worshiping at Lebanon 
 Centre, four miles distant. These individuals were regular- 
 ly dismissed, for the purpose of forming a new church. — 
 Though the immediate occasion of the separation was the 
 dismission of the Rev. Mr. Cooke, and questions connected 
 with that in regard to which there was difference of opinion 
 and feeling, and though it was submitted to by many on 
 both sides with regret, yet it was effected without the sacri- 
 fice of Christian fellowship, and questions growing out of it 
 were amicably adjusted. 
 
 Some eighteen months before the separation was effected, 
 at the first meeting of the members purposing to withdraw, 
 they appointed a committee to select a site for a church, 
 and passed the following resolution : — " That we go on uni- 
 tedly and support the gospel at the Centre as heretofore 
 
WEST LEBANON. 579 
 
 until the times shall demand a separation from the church 
 at the Centre." In the mean time subscriptions were pro- 
 cured and measures taken for building a house of worship at 
 West Lebanon. The Meeting-house was erected opposite 
 White Elver Junction in June 1849, and after being com- 
 pleted, was dedicated Nov. 8, the day on which the church 
 was organized. The sermon was preached by Rev. Prof. 
 Haddock, D.D. After the dedication of the church, services 
 were regularly sustained on the Sabbath, and the ordinances 
 administered, generally by Professors at Hanover until a 
 regular supply was obtained. 
 
 Feb. 27, 1851, Eev. Rufus Case was unanimously invited 
 to become the pastor and teacher of this church. On the 
 25th of June following he was installed by an ecclesiastical 
 council as the first pastor. 
 
 Capt. Joseph Wood, who completed liis 90th year the 
 day the church was organized and house dedicated, after 
 having subscribed liberally toward building the Meeting- 
 house, proposed to the society that if tliey would go on and 
 build a good parsonage, he would give the society $ 1000 for 
 a permanent t'und, to aid in supporting the gospel. Though 
 they had gone, as they thought, about to the extent of their 
 ability in building the Meeting-house, they accepted his 
 offer, fulfilled the conditions and secured the fund. And 
 the venerable Patriarch, now in his 97th year, still lives to 
 rejoice in the success of the effort to establish gospel ordi- 
 nances in this part of the town, and has been able to attend 
 quite constantly on the Sabbath services. 
 
 The wisdom of the undertakinfr, though doubted at first 
 by some good men, has been made apparent by the result. 
 The village has very much increased in size, and most of the 
 families, were there no church near them, would be deprived 
 of the preaching of the gospel altogether. The congregation 
 has been slowly increasing to the present time, and now 
 numbers about two hundred. The whole number added to 
 the church is 34, making the agrffrerrate number connected 
 with it from the beginning 78. The present number is 65. 
 An interesting Sabbath School has been maintained from 
 the beginning. The monthly concert has been attended 
 every month since January 1850. The amount contributed 
 by the church for the various objects of benevolence during 
 these five years, is $984,33 — $236 of this sum in 1855. — 
 The salary of the pastor which was at first $550, was the 
 last year raised to $ 600. 
 
 During the last year an edifice has been completed for a 
 Female Seminary at a cost of over $15,000 — $1000 was 
 
580 GEAFTON COUNTY. 
 
 contributed by the venerable Capt. Wood, before alluded to ; 
 in all over $5000 by the citizens of West Lebanon, and 
 $10,000 was given by WilUam Tilden, Esq. of New York, 
 whose name the seminary l)ears. This school it is hojied 
 will subserve, in an eminent degree, the cause of sound learn- 
 ing and of true piety, for a long time to come. 
 
 While we record,' with humility, the fact that since the 
 organization of the church there has been no special out- 
 pouring of the Spirit, or general revival, we are permitted 
 to say that entire harmony has prevailed, and outward 
 prosperity has been enjoyed. May the time of refreslung 
 soon come. 
 
 FOURTEEN TOWNS. 
 
 Benton. (Formerly Coventry.) — It is very mountainous ; 
 has a population of 478 souls, though granted in 1764 
 and settled during the Revolutionary war. There are a few 
 Methodists and a^Freewill Baptist church of 51 members. 
 
 Ellsworth. (Trecothick.) — Population in 1850 was 320. 
 A Freewill Baptist society of 65 members. 
 
 Grafton.— Granted 1761. First settled 1772. A Bap- 
 tist church was formed here 1785, and in 1817 there were 
 two, but none appear now on the Minutes of the Baptist 
 Convention. Uriah Smith labored here. A Freewill Bap- 
 tist church was formed in 1817 — had 40 members in 1823. 
 No denomination reports a church there at tliis time. Pop- 
 ulation 1259. 
 
 HoLDERNESS. — Granted 1761, to 68 proprietors who are 
 said to have held the doctrines of the Church of England. — 
 Yet men from Barrington and others not of this feitli set- 
 tled here. The proprietors were not usually the only set- 
 tlers and often none of them were actually such. An Epis- 
 copal church was early established here and had Rev. Robert 
 Fowle for rector for more than thirty years. He was ordain- 
 ed by Bishop Seabury at Portsmouth in 1791. A rector 
 was recently constituted here by Bishop Chase. A Free- 
 will Baptist church here embraces 137 members. 
 
 Rev. Mr. Rich, Congregationalist, was here in 1829 and 
 much interest was manifested. He found 20 persons fit to 
 unite as he then thought in church covenant. In 1833, 
 Rev. J. Hobart spent a few weeks here. In 1839 a church 
 of 13 members was in existence, but when formed we have 
 
FOURTEEN TOWNS. 581 
 
 not ascertained, and Rev. John Suddard was their minister 
 for a time. 
 
 Landaff. — Incorporated 1764. Population 948. Meth- 
 odist members 121. There are a few Freewill Baptists in 
 town. 
 
 Lincoln. — Incorporated 1764. Population 57. 
 
 Lisbon. — Incorporated 1768. Formerly called Guntli- 
 loait, and later, Concord. As early as 1800 Freewill Bap- 
 tist and Methodist societies existed here. There are now 
 of Methodists 123 members ; of Freewill Baptists 100. 
 
 Lyman. — A church was formed here in 1814 Ijy Ecv. D. 
 Sutherland, who often preached to the people. In 1816 a 
 revival of great interest occurred and Eev. Samuel Groddard 
 labored here. In December, 22 were admitted to the church ; 
 and in March following 14 more. In 1832 the church num- 
 bered 53 members. Population 742. A Methodist society 
 is here of 73 members. 
 
 Monroe. — Formerly Lyman West. Incorporated 1854. 
 Population 700. A church of 26 members was here in 1821. 
 
 Orange. — Formerly Cardigan. Incorporated 1781. — 
 Population 451. Rev. J. S. Winter labored here in 1828. 
 A few family altars were set up, and in May a church of 
 eight members from Canaan was formed and six were added 
 to it at that time and five more soon after. In 1832 Rev. 
 N. Lambert was here four weeks. A house of worship was 
 built and dedicated in 1833. A small society of 20 Free- 
 will Baptists is reported here. 
 
 RuMNEY. — Incorporated 1767. Population 1109. A 
 Baptist church of 118 members is here. 
 
 Warren. — Incorporated 1763. Population 872. A 
 Baptist church of 163 members here and in Wentworth ; 
 Freewill Baptists 35. 
 
 Waterville. — Incorporated 1829. Population 40. 
 
 Woodstock. — Formerly Peelimj and Fairfield. Incor- 
 porated 1763. Population 418. Baptists 43 members; 
 Freewill Baptists 58. 
 
€mi\ €m\\i^: 
 
 CONWAY.f 
 
 The church in Conway was organized by the Eev. Mr, 
 Fessenden, of Fryeburg, Me., Aug. 18, 1778. Eight per- 
 sons were admitted as members of the church at the time of 
 the church being gathered. Nathaniel Porter was installed 
 pastor of the church in Conway by an ecclesiastical council 
 convened for that purpose by the desire of the church, Oct. 
 28, 1778. The last date of his in the church records was 
 Jan. 28, 1821. Ho was never dismissed from the church, 
 though he preached in Fryeburg, Me. after he had done 
 preaching in Conway. The number gathered into the 
 church during his ministry was 105. Dr. Porter was born 
 in Topsfield, Ms. Jan. 14, 1745 ; graduated at Harvard 
 university 1768 ; ordained to the Christian ministry at New 
 Durham ; deceased Nov. 11, 1836. He endured great pri- 
 vations here — " worked by day and wrote his sermons by 
 the light of pitch wood at night." 
 
 May 26, 1824, Benjamin G-. Willey was ordained colleague 
 with Dr. Porter, and was acting pastor until 1832. The 
 number fftthered into the church during his ministry was 
 53. Ref, Mr. Willey was a native of Conway, is now in 
 Sumner, Me. Allen Gannet came to this town in 1833 ; 
 ordained Jan. 20, 1836 ; was dismissed June 22, 1838. — 
 Members gathered into the church during his ministry, 39. 
 Rev. Mr. Gannet is a native of Tamworth, is novv^ in Massa- 
 chusetts. Eev. John Wilde was installed pastor of this 
 church June 12, 1839. Dismissed May 1845. Members 
 gathered into the church while Mr. AVilde was here, 17. 
 Eev. S. S. Tappan was installed July 11, 1849, — dismissed 
 July 6, 1852. One received into the church during his 
 labors. The present number of this church is 70. Sixty 
 seven have died since the organization of the church. Only 
 ten of the male members live in Conway. It is worthy of 
 note that Eev. Mr. Willey who was awhile the minister of 
 
 * See several towns at end of county, 
 t Sketch by Dea. Jonathan Eastman, more than four score years old. 
 
EFFINGHAM. 583 
 
 this church, and a native of the town, was so acceptahle a 
 preacher that the people came forward and raised a fair sub- 
 scription, although they had done but very little before for 
 the ministry. In 1827 more than thirty hopeful conversions 
 occurred ; in 1831 nine united with the church. May others 
 from among her sons yet arise to comfort her. 
 
 EFFINGHAM. 
 
 The first settlers of the town were mostly professors of 
 religion, of the Congregational order, and many of them 
 from North Hampton and vicinity. The town was incorpo- 
 rated in 1778, and at the annual meeting in March 1779, the)- 
 voted to raise $20 for preaching. In September 1780 they 
 voted to unite with other adjoining towns in the supjiort of 
 the Rev. John Adams, as a preacher of the gospel. He was 
 to preach in Effingham 12 Sabbaths, and to receive six 
 bushels of corn per Sabbath and his board. In 1783, 
 "Hired Rev. Mr. Balch to preach 12 Sabbaths at $4 per 
 Sabbath." Three years later, Rev. Mr. Hall was employed 
 six Sabbaths at $4 per Sabbath, to be paid in corn or grain 
 at 4s. per bushel. Until 1793 they annually raised a small 
 sum to be expended for preaching. This year Rev. Jacob 
 Kimball was offered the ministerial land and £ 50 to settle 
 as minister. This appears not to have been done. Rev. 
 Messrs. Wyeth and Ames preached a portion cif the time in 
 1794. In 1800 they raised $ 100 and voted that Baptists, 
 by presenting a certificate that they belonged to a Baptist 
 society, and attended a Baptist meeting, shoidd be exempt- 
 ed from ministerial tax. In 1802 one Mr. Whipple was 
 emplo^^ed. In 1803, voted to divide the ministerial land 
 between the Baptists and Congregationalists, according to 
 the number of rateable polls belonging to each. This was 
 not done at this time. At the same time Rev. G-ideon Burt 
 was invited to settle at a salary of $300. He accepted the 
 call, and was the only settled pastor the Congregationalists 
 have ever had. July 1805, voted to tax the Congregation- 
 alists only. The same year, his salary being unpaid, he sued 
 the town for what was due — about $ 420 — they paid it, he 
 was dismissed, and gave the Baptists a deed of one-third of 
 the ministerial land. 
 
 The church of which Mr. Burt was pastor was probably 
 organized about A. D. 1800, but the exact time cannot be 
 ascertained. It is said to have been done by Eev. Mr. Hid- 
 
584 CAREOLL COUNTY. 
 
 den of Tamworth. This church lost its visibility and in 
 1836 the present church was formed. In the records of the 
 new church 1.5 names are given of members of the old church. 
 As to the jiresent church we find this record : " This church 
 (the old one) being for a long time destitute of the stated 
 means of grace and deprived of the regular administration 
 of the ordinances, had nearly become extinct, until the year 
 183G, when it was again revived and re-organized under the 
 ministry of J. H. Mordough. Mr. Mordough received an 
 invitation from the church and society to labor with them 
 as their minister, and was ordained as an evangelist May 
 18, 1836." The church at its re-organization consisted of five 
 members. Since then 48 have been added, making 53 in 
 the whole. The present number is 26, Children baptized, 
 19. How long Mr. Mordough labored with the church is 
 uncertain. The last entry of his in the record is July 5, 
 1839. In 1842 Kev. James Doldt labored among them. — 
 April 1849, Rev. Elias Chapman commenced laboring with 
 them one-half of the time ; this arrangement continued one 
 and a half year. Since that time they have had no regular 
 preaching except from March 1854 to March 1855, when they 
 were supplied one-fourth of the time by Rev. Leander S. 
 Tripp, a Baptist. They are now destitute. The Baptist 
 church contains about thirty members. Three Fi-eewill Bap- 
 tist churches embrace more than 100 members. One of these 
 last, to which Rev. Nahum Foss ministers, meet in the 
 same village with the Congregational church, and its mem- 
 bers often unite with them in worshijD. 
 
 MOULTONBOROUGH.* 
 
 Rev. W. P. Apthohp. 
 
 The town was incorporated Nov. 27, 1777. Rev. Samuel 
 Perley, a graduate of Harvard 1763, was settled in the town 
 Oct. 8, 1778. He had preached for the people a year or 
 more previous to his settlement, but was dismissed about 
 one year after it. Rev. Jeremiah Shaw succeeded him, a 
 graduate of Harvard, settled Nov. 17, 1779, and continued 
 in office until 1816, a period of fifty two years. He preach- 
 ed more or less for the church for six years after his dismis- 
 sion. He solemnized 400 marriages. He was a man of a 
 quiet turn ; his judgment was good. He p^^blished a work in 
 answer to Ballou on the Atonement' — "Great is the Mystery 
 
 * Sketch by Compiler. 
 
ossiPEE. , , 585 
 
 of G-odliness." He died in 1834 aged 87 years and 9 
 months. Eev. Joshua Dodge followed him, a graduate of 
 Dartmouth 1806, settled Feb. 27, 1828. Mr. Dodge fitted 
 for college at Atkinson Academy under the tuition of the 
 Hon. John Vose — studied theology with Rev. Drs. Manas- 
 seh Cutler, Abiel Abbott, and Samuel Worcester — was set- 
 tled in the first parish, HaverhiU, Ms., Dec. 21, 1808, and 
 dismissed in 1827. He published a "second centennial ser- 
 mon on the Landing of our Forefathers, 1820." Mr. Dodge 
 still lives and continues to sustain the relation of pastor. — 
 Rev. Jonathan B. Cook was settled as colleague pastor Dec. 
 18, 1850, and dismissed in 1854. Rev. W. Willey has been 
 employed as stated supply. Rev. W. P. Apthorp was set- 
 tled in the ministry here in January 1855. The church now 
 numbers 73 members, and its days of greater prosperity, it 
 is hoped, are come. 
 
 OSSIPEE. 
 
 Rev. Horace Wood. 
 
 This town was incorporated in 1785. The Congregation- 
 al church was organized Sept. 26, 1806, by Rev. James 
 Thurston and Rev. David McGregore, embracing 20 mem- 
 bers. For some eight or ten years, this little tend, united 
 and harmonious, met together on the Sabbath for religious 
 worship in some private dwelling-house, and for ten or 
 twelve years longer in a school-house. Missionaries were 
 employed a portion of the time, but when without a minis- 
 ter they would meet to sing and j^ray, and read, sermons^ — 
 and the Lord blessed them, and added to their number.- — 
 The whole number that have united with the church at the 
 time, and since its organization, is 153. Present number 71. 
 A house for pubhc worship was built in 1827. Sometime in 
 the month of May, the first tree was feUed for the frame of 
 the house, and in January following the house was complet- 
 ed and dedicated. The Lord prospered them, and they took 
 courage. In about a year after the Meeting-house was built 
 a dweUing-house and some fifty acres of land were purchased 
 for a parsonage. In order to secure both of the above 
 objects, the members of the society had to tax themselves 
 fi-om $25 to f 250 each, when their means were compara- 
 tively small. But they did it with cheerful hearts. In 
 1852 the interior of the Meeting-house was re-modeled, and 
 very much improved. The congregation is not large, but 
 very uniform, irrespective of the weather. 
 38 
 
586 
 
 CARROLL COUNTY. 
 
 The first stated supply of preaching was in 1823. Pre- 
 vious to this time, there was occasional preaching by itiner- 
 ant missionaries, and by Eev. Samuel Hidden of Tamworth, 
 who always manifested a deep interest in this little church, 
 and who watched over it with paternal affection till his 
 death. The stated supplies from 1823 to 1828 were — Eev. 
 Thomas Jameson of Effingham, Eev. Messrs. Noyse, G-ay- 
 lord, and Hubbard. They were sustained in part by mis- 
 sionary aid, and their labors were for portions of years only. 
 In 1828, the pulpit was supplied, a portion of the time, by 
 ministers from the neighboring towns, of different denomina- 
 tions. 
 
 Sept. 23, 1829, Eev. Samuel Arnold was installed pastor 
 of the church. Mr. Arnold was their first pastor, and 
 received from the church most cordial sympathy and cooper- 
 ation. They had been so long without a shepherd, it is not 
 strange that they were now greatly comforted. But a 
 greater trial was in store for them than they had ever before 
 experienced, and from an unlooked for source. Some five 
 months after Mr. Arnold was ordained, a complaint was 
 made against him before the grcmid jury, for whipping an 
 adopted child. The Court was then in session at Dover. — 
 When information was received by the church that he was 
 indicted by the grand jury, they immediately drew up a 
 very earnest petition on his behalf and forwarded it to the 
 Court. It shows them a people who loved their pastor ten- 
 derly. The petition was signed by the mother and relations 
 of the child, and most of the members of the church and 
 society. The case was tried before one jury who could not 
 agree, — and afterwards dismissed from court as a nonsuit. 
 
 Though Mr. Arnold was generally sustained by the church 
 and society, there were some strongly prejudiced against 
 him. In 1831, about a year after the above, he requested a 
 dismission, which was readily granted, the church being 
 fully convinced that his usefulness was at an end. He after- 
 wards left the ministry and is supposed to be dead. 
 
 Perhaps no one felt this trial, outside of the church itself, 
 more keenly than Eev. Mr. Hidden of Tamworth. Eemarks 
 his biographer, " Four whole nights he gave no sleep to his 
 eyes nor slumber to his eyehds. He prayed that the divi- 
 sions might be healed, and that he who had been constituted 
 their spiritual guide might prove in heart and life what he 
 had pledged liimself to be. But in this his hopes were 
 blasted. Said he, ' I have never had my heart wrung with 
 such anguish, in all the trials I have witnessed. Tliis is a 
 bitter cup. It seems as though the Lord was making a trial 
 of my faith.' " 
 
SANDWICH. 587 
 
 Eev. Mr. Sanders next supplied the desk, and remained 
 nearly two j^ears. Kev. Abel Manning came in 1834, and 
 continued till the early part of 1837, when Kev. John S. 
 Winter entered this field and was installed November 1837, 
 and continued till liis death, which occurred Jan. 30, 1848. 
 Mr. Winter's salary was $200, with use of parsonage, and 
 pri^nlege of being absent one-fourth of the time. He usual- 
 ly had a commission from the Home Missionary Society for 
 Tuftonborough or Ossipee Corner, at one of which places he 
 usually preached every fourth Sabbath. During Mr. Win- 
 ter's ministry there were added to the church by profession 
 45, by letter 5. In May 1848, Kev. Horace Wood was 
 engaged as stated supply, and continues to be the acting 
 pastor of the church. The amount contributed to several 
 benevolent objects is from §120 to $140, annually. The 
 church and society have held on their way with veiy remark- 
 able uniformity. Three from the church have become min- 
 isters of the gospel, and one is now studying with the min- 
 istry in view. 
 
 The first church organized in town was Calvinist Baptist, 
 between 1796 and 1800, which is now nearly extinct. Their 
 minister was Rev. Wentworth Lord, who preached in this 
 town and Parsonsfield, Me., about twenty years. The first 
 Meeting-house built in town was erected in or near 1800, 
 and was occupied by Mr. Lord. It is now standing, (though 
 re-modeled,) at Ossij^ee Corner. A town hall occuj^ies the 
 lower floor. The upper part is finished for a Meeting-house 
 and owned by the pew-holders of some four different denom- 
 inations. There are five churches of the Freewill Baptist 
 order, all of which are small, and some four or five Baptist 
 ministers, only two of whom are under engagement and 
 permanently employed as preachers at the present time. — 
 The present number of inhabitants in town is a little rising 
 of 2000. Average attendance upon public worship, between 
 400 and 500. Sabbath School and Bible class scholars from 
 200 to 250. Some of the first settlers of that jiortion of the 
 town where is now the Congregational church, were stable, 
 Christian men, — of the Puritanic stamp, and their influence 
 is still felt. 
 
 SANDWICH.- 
 
 Sandwich was granted — by charter from Bcnning Went- 
 worth, Grovernor of the Province of New Hampshire in 
 
 * Sketch by Dea. Jeremiah Furber. 
 
588 CARROLL COUNTY. 
 
 1763 — to various proprietors, who were to reserve one right 
 of land for the glebe, one for the society for propagating the 
 gospel, one for a minister, and one for schools. The first 
 settlements commenced in 1764, and the first settlers were 
 from Exeter and the adjacent towns. Time had loosened 
 the strict principles of our ancestors, who were Puritans or 
 the disciples of Eoger Williams. The cares, anxieties and 
 hardships of a rough soil ; dependent families and a wilder- 
 ness country, had choked the seed of earlier years, and their 
 hearts had become a moral desert. In the early settlement 
 of the town the Friends assembled for public worship, and 
 have continued a respectable society to this day. With this 
 exception, no religious order was supported in town until 
 
 Elder Jewell was settled as a Calvinistic Baptist, 
 
 who received one out of the four lots in the right for the first 
 settled minister, and relinquished the three remaining lots to 
 the town, which were sold with the four school lots and 
 invested in the school fund. The other public rights have 
 been appropriated agreeable to the literal construction of the 
 grant and reservation, and the town has in no way been ben- 
 efitted by them. The Freewill Baptists were early intro- 
 duced here, and soon became numerous. The Methodists 
 soon followed. The Calvinist Baptist church ultimately 
 became extinct. Those few disposecl to enjoy Congregational 
 preaching worshiped at Tamworth or Moultonborough, where 
 ancient Congregational churches were established and the 
 gospel preached. But occasionally the Eev. Mr. Hidden of 
 Tamworth, and Mr. Cram of Exeter, preached gratuitously 
 to the people in this place. In 1811, Mr. Clarke, a mission- 
 ary from the New Hampshire Missionary Society sent to 
 Ossipee, preached here one Sabbath, and once or twice on 
 week days. In 1814, the Eev. Mr. Taylor was sent three 
 months from the New Hampshire Missionary Society, and 
 the same year Eev. William Cogswell, D.D. a licentiate at 
 that time, was sent three months by the Massachusetts 
 Missionary Society, whose labors were lalessed and a church 
 consisting of thirteen members was organized, and a further 
 revival followed. Up to 1824, the following men were here 
 from a few weeks to a year each, sent by the Massachusetts 
 and New Hampsliire Missionary Societies : Messrs. Jewett, 
 Field, Curtis Coe, Spofford, Jones, Henry Sewall and Isaac 
 Willey. The people paid something toward their support. 
 
 March 24, 1824, eleven individuals agreed to build a Meet- 
 ting-house, and, with various others on the eighth clay of 
 December 1824, formed themselves into a society by the 
 name of the " First Congregational Society in Sandwich." 
 
SANDWICH. 589 
 
 The Meeting-house was, on the 30th day of November 1825, 
 dedicated to the service of Almighty God, Father, Son and 
 Holy Ghost. Sermon by Eev. Samuel Hidden. Various 
 eiforts were made to obtain a candidate for settlement. The 
 Missionary Societies having given encouragement of assist- 
 ance, some individuals were willing to tax themselves heavily 
 to procure a stated preached gospel. 
 
 Mr. David P. Smith, a licentiate, commenced his minis- 
 terial labors July 23, 1826, and was continued by subscrip- 
 tion until March 1827, when, a general excitement having 
 taken place, a subscription paper for the support of Mr. 
 Smith was pirt into circulation, and the church and society 
 united in giving him a call, which was accepted on his part. 
 May 20, 1827, six individuals were admitted to the church on 
 profession of faith, and two others by letter. The ordination 
 of Mr. Smith was on the 23d day of May 1827. Sermon by 
 Eev. Jacob W. Eastman, of Methuen, Ms. Mr. Smith's was 
 what was termed in those days " a five years settlement," 
 which period he continued his labors with this people. The 
 number added to the church by letter and on profession of 
 faith is 65. There are recorded of infant baptisms, 23. The 
 most interesting revival during his ministry was in the years 
 1830 and '31, in connection with the general revivals through- 
 out New England. Mr. Smith left this field for Parsonsfield, 
 Me. in July 1832. During that summer Eev. Mr. Searle 
 preached here two Sabbaths, and Eev. Mr. Low several Sab- 
 baths. 
 
 Eev. Giles Leach, a graduate of Amherst college and stu- 
 dent of the theological seminary Andover, Ms., commenced 
 his labors here in October 1832. His ordination was 5th 
 Feb. 1833. Sermon by Eev. John K. Young, of Meredith 
 Bridge. The more public exercises were at the Meeting- 
 house. The right hand, consecrating prayer, laying on of 
 the hands and other exercises were at the house of deacon 
 Furber, the candidate for ordination being sick with the 
 measles, and occupying " the old arm chair." 
 
 In January 1838, a protracted meeting of more than ordi- 
 nary interest was held. There seemed to be a general awaken- 
 ing throughout the town in the different societies. In May 
 following, 17 were received into the clrarch as a portion of 
 the fruits of this revival. Also in July five others were 
 admitted as above. A similar meeting was held in January 
 1839 and attended with favorable results. Eev. Mr. Leach 
 was dismissed at his own request in February 1840, but con- 
 tinued his labors one year from that time. During his min- 
 istry there were added to the church in this section of the 
 
590 CAEROLL COUNTY. 
 
 town where he labored two-thirds of the time, about sixty 
 members. There are 21 infant baptisms recorded during his 
 ministry here. He is now laboring with the first Congrega- 
 tional church in Wells, Me. 
 
 Kev. Otis Holmes from the theological seminary at Gil- 
 manton, was ordained here Sept. 8, 1842 ; sermon by Kev. 
 Prof Rood. He continued till April 1849, laboring one 
 c£uarter of the time, from May 1, 1845, with the church and 
 society at North Sandwich. To this church during liis min- 
 istry were added 20 members. 
 
 A goodly number of ministers have been raised up here 
 in the Freewill Baptist, Methodist, and Friend's societies. — 
 One — D. L. Furber — has gone out from this church, who is 
 settled at Newton Center, Ms. The church has been depend- 
 ent upon foreign aid. Want of a good Meeting-house is the 
 principal cause of little or no effort for re-settlement of the 
 gospel ministry. It is believed that upwards of forty mem- 
 bers now living have gone out from this church, to other por- 
 tions of our Zion. Resident members — 17 males, 34 females. 
 
 SANDWICH NORTH* 
 
 North Sandwich church is located in an isolated spot, 
 almost surrounded by hills and mountains. For many years 
 this peoj^le enjoyed the occasional labors of Rev. Samuel 
 Hidden of Tamworth, and, to enjoy the ministrations of the 
 gospel on the Sabbath, for more than forty years they were 
 accustomed to go to Tamworth, a distance of eight miles, 
 some on horseback and some on foot, and they were very 
 regular in their attendance. Mr. Hidden used to say, " I 
 love to preach to the people of Sandwich, they love preach- 
 ing so weU." And numbers were converted and united with 
 the church of Tamworth. 
 
 This church was organized June 27, 1832, consisting of 
 15 members, seven male and eight female members. The 
 church being small and in a community composed in part of 
 other denominations, was unable to secure the constant 
 labors of a minister, and for some months had only occasion- 
 al preaching. In March 1833, they united with the first 
 church in securing the labors of Rev. Griles Leach, who 
 labored with them one-third of the time for nine years. — 
 Under his labors the church enjoyed a good degree of pros- 
 perity, with frequent additions. After the close of his 
 
 * Sketch by Rev. J. H. Merrill. 
 
TAMWORTH. 59.1 
 
 labors, the churcli was without regular Sabbath services for 
 about two years, when, in 1844, the two churches united in 
 settling Eev. Otis Holmes, who supphed the desk of this 
 church one-third of the time for five years. His labors 
 proved very acceptable and beneficial to the interests of the 
 church. For the past five years this church has had only 
 occasional sermons from ministers of our own order. The 
 ordinance of the Lord's Supper has been only once adminis- 
 tered, (May 1854,) when two yoimg ladies were received into 
 the church and one household was ba]itized. For two years 
 past they have united with the First FreewiU Baptist church 
 in hiring a Baptist minister, who preaches in their Meeting- 
 house one-fourth of the time, and, as the Meeting-houses are 
 only one mile apart, this seems the best arrangement they 
 can make for the present, and they are expecting to continue 
 it. The church now numbers 21 members, several of whom 
 are non-resident. Neal McCrillis is the only deacon of the 
 church. 
 
 TAMWOKTH. 
 
 Rev. J. H. Meekill. 
 
 The charter of Tamworth was granted in 1766 to fifty 
 two grantees. In the grant one share of 450 acres was 
 reserved for the governor, (Wentworth ;) one share for the 
 Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts ; 
 one share for the church of England ; one share for the first 
 settled minister of the gosjjel of the town ; and another for 
 the benefit of a school in town forever. The first white set- 
 tler located in the west part of the town in 1772. The first 
 town meeting was held in 1777. The sufferings of the early 
 settlers were very great. They were often obhged to go 30 
 and 40 miles to Gilmanton and Canterbury to procure com 
 and grain, and bring it home on their backs or on handsleds. 
 Eev. Joshua Nickerson from Cape Cod was the first minister 
 that preached in town, and he occasionally preached until 
 1778. He was a very pious man, but did not connect him- 
 self with any religious denomination. 
 
 About the first of January 1792, a special town meeting 
 was called, and a committee of two chosen to obtain preach- 
 ing. They procured Kev. Samuel Hidden of Gilmanton, 
 who had just completed his coUegiate and theological studies. 
 He arrived on the 14th of January 1792, and preached the 
 following Sabbath. There were very strong prejudices 
 
592 CARKOLL COUNTY. 
 
 against a "college-learned man," and one woman declared, 
 when she saw him coming, that "she had as lief see the 
 devil." But these prejudices were immediately dispelled 
 under his warm-hearted addresses. At the annual town 
 meeting in March, he was unanimously invited to settle 
 with them. There were 40 voters in the town at that time. 
 The following is the basis on which he assented to the 
 request : They were to build and finish for liim, on the 
 ministerial lot, a one story house, which was described ; _ to 
 pay him a salary of £ 33 lawful money, in the following 
 manner : Three pounds cash ; fifteen pounds in good beef at 
 18s. per hundred, and fifteen pounds in corn at 3s. a bushel, 
 rye at 4s., wheat at 5s. At the end of three years, the sal- 
 ary was to be gradually raised to £ 50, to be paid in money, 
 beef and grain as above. In 1806, the salary was changed 
 to $201, to be pjaid in money. 
 
 Mr. Hidden's ordination was appointed to be on Sept. 12, 
 1792. A council, consisting of Eev. Messrs. Smith of Gil- 
 manton, Shaw of Moultonborough, Williams of Meredith, 
 Porter of Conway, Piper of Wakefield, and Coe of Durham, 
 met to organize a church and ordain a pastor. But here a 
 difficulty arose in the minds of the council, as those to be 
 organized into a church were Congregationalists, Calvinistic 
 Baptists and Freewill Baptists ; and the only basis on which 
 they could harmonize, was entire freedom in regard to the 
 modes and subjects of baptism. This may account for the 
 fact that for the last seventeen years there have been only 
 18 children baptized. There is no record of any baptisms 
 previous to this time, though irumbers undoubtedly were 
 offered to God in baptism. The council earnestly discussed 
 the question of organizing a Congregational church on this 
 basis, but at last yielded to the importunity of the people, 
 and 2:iroceeded to organize a church of 19 members, over 
 which Mr. Hidden was ordained pastor. The ordination 
 was thus described by one of the council in a letter, dated 
 Durham, Sept. 27, 1792 : "Now, sir, I will tell you about 
 the ordination. After much wrangling between the council 
 and the people, Mr. Hidden was ordained on a large rock, 
 (20 feet by 30 and 15 feet high, on which 50 men might 
 stand.) His foundation must be secure and solid ; for this 
 rock will stand till Gabriel shall divide it by the power of 
 God. Early in the morning the j^eople assembled around 
 this rock, men, women, boys and girls, together with dogs 
 and other domestic animals. It is an entire forest about 
 this place. The scenery is wild. On the north is a high 
 hill, and north of this is a mountain called Chocorua, which 
 
TAMWOKTH. 593 
 
 touches heaven. On the south and in all directions are 
 mountains steep and rugged. I had expected to hear the 
 howling of the wolf, and the screeching of the owl ; but 
 instead of these were heard the melting notes of the robin, 
 the chirping of the sparrow and other birds that made the 
 forest seem like Paradise. The men looked happy, rugged, 
 and fearless ; their trowsers came down to about half way 
 between the knee and ankle. Their coats were mostly short 
 and of nameless shapes. Many wore slouched hats and 
 hundreds were shoeless. The women looked ruddy and as 
 though they loved their husbands ; their clothing was all of 
 domestic manufacture ; every woman had a checked linen 
 apron and carried a clean linen handkerchief Their bon- 
 nets ! well, I cannot describe them, I leave them to your 
 imagination. But think of the grandeur of the scene. A 
 great rock the pulpit, the whole town the floor of the house, 
 and the canopy of heaven the roof, and the tall sturdy trees 
 the walls. Who could help feeling devotional.? This is 
 the place nature has formed for pure worship. Long shall 
 this stand, like the rock on which our Fathers landed. — 
 Long may this church make the wilderness and the solitary 
 place glad and the desert blossom as the rose." 
 
 In the winter of 1793-4 the church was visited by a 
 refreshing shower of mercy, and about thirty were hopefully 
 converted. At the close of the century the church numbered 
 88 members. The year 1800 was signahzed by a remarka- 
 ble outpouring of the Holy Spirit, it may be, unparalleled 
 in the annals of church history, if the number of inhab- 
 itants is taken into the account. The revival had its origin 
 in a prayer meeting. It soon spread through the town. — 
 Prayer meetings were held every evening in the week. The 
 principal business for months was religious conversation and 
 prayer. Whole nights were spent in prayer and singing. 
 The pastor had no help from abroad. For four months he 
 
 5 reached almost every day. The work extended to Conway, 
 [oultonborough, Eaton, Ossipee, and Sandwich. In the 
 three latter towns there was no church, and they were under 
 the care of Mr. Hidden. The fruits of this revival were 
 nearly 300 converts, of whom about 200 united with this 
 church ; others with churches in neighboring towns of differ- 
 ent names. The subsequent lives of these converts showed 
 this revival to be remarkably pure. In 1809, another work 
 of grace was enjoyed and about thirty joined the church. — 
 It was a Bweeu refreshing after years of coldness. In 1811, 
 the special presence of the Holy Spirit residted in the con- 
 version of a number, and 28 were added to the church. In 
 
594 CAEKGLL COUNTY. 
 
 1822, the cliurch was greatly revived, and there were about 
 fifty cases of hopeful conversion. In 1827, another revival 
 brought, it is hoj^ed, about thirty into the fold of Christ. 
 In 1830, nearly forty were hopefully converted and most of 
 them united with the church soon after. In 1831, a pro- 
 tracted meeting was held in the early part of the summer, 
 during which several ministers from abroad were present. — 
 The people crowded the meetings, and truth was sent home 
 to the hearts of sinners, and not less than 50 were the sub- 
 jects of hope. 
 
 On the 13th of February 1837, Eev. Mr. Hidden died, 
 aged 77 years, and the 46th of his ministry. He came into 
 the wilderness, and left it a fruitful field. The whole num- 
 ber connected with the church during his ministry was 504, 
 averaging a yearly increase of 11 members. As a Chris- 
 tian, Mr. Hidden was meek and humble, active, faithful and 
 devoted, with a heart and hand of expansive benevolence 
 and hospitaUty. He was a patron of literature, the friend 
 and instructor of youth, and through life a lover of sacred 
 music, always leading the services of the Sanctuary in this 
 department of worship. In preaching the gospel, his prompt- 
 ness, zeal, jjlainness, hapjjy illustrations and meltings of his 
 heart for immortal souls, rendered him beloved and respect- 
 ed by all. His long day was literally and cheerfully spent 
 in the service of his Lord and Master ; and the hope of being 
 soon with his Savior God inspired his triumphant exclama- 
 tion in death: "Just draw back the veil and I am there," 
 and tuned his enchanting lyre for his last song, which he 
 sang in his last moments, 
 
 " Angels roll Ihe rock away, 
 Death yield up the mighty prey." 
 
 Kev. Wm. L. Bufiit was installed pastor of the church July 
 19, 1837. During the next year there was a refreshing work 
 of grace, and 16 publicly professed their faith in Christ. In 
 the fall of 1839 a more extensive revival was enjoyed, and 
 40 of the converts made a profession of religion. It origi- 
 nated in a protracted meeting and spread over the tovm. — 
 Mr. Buffit was dismissed March 22, 1842. There were 
 added to the church under his labors, 69, making a yearly 
 increase of about 14 members. Eev. Jeremiah Blake, M.D., 
 was installed as pastor of the church June 14, 1843, during 
 which year an interesting revival was enjoyed and 31 were 
 added to the church. Kev. Mr. Blake was dismissed Dec. 3, 
 1850. His pastorate continued seven years ; during which 
 time 51 were added to the church — an average of about seven 
 a year. After an interval of nearly three years, in which 
 
TUFTONBOEOUGH. 595 
 
 the church was almost wholly destitute of religious meetings, 
 during which, however, they built and dedicated to God a 
 beautiful house of worship, and purchased and fitted up a 
 parsonage house at the village, a mile from the ancient 
 house. Kev. John H. Merrill was installed pastor of the 
 church Aug. 17, 1853. During the first year of his ministry 
 there was a gentle distilhng of Divine grace, and a dozen 
 youth indulged the hope of pardon. From his installation 
 to the present time, (fifteen months,) 16 have been added to 
 the church. The whole number of members connected with 
 this church since its organization in 1792, a period of sixty 
 two years, is 638, of whom there remain at the present time 
 174 members. A colony of members of this church in 1806, 
 residing in Ossipee, was dismissed from this church to form 
 a Congregational church in that town, ten miles distant. — 
 Another colony was organized into a church in Sandwich in 
 the year 1814. And another body was dismissed to form 
 the church at North Sandwich in 1832. There are two 
 other churches within the limits of the town ; a Freewill 
 Baptist church two and a half miles to the east, and a 
 Methodist church four miles to the south. There have been 
 in time past three other FreewUl Baptist churches in the 
 outskirts of the town, but they are now disbanded. The 
 Sabbath Schools connected with these churches are in a 
 healthful and prosperous condition, numbering, including 
 adults, about 450 members, and continuing through the year. 
 The population of the town is 1766, of whom about one- 
 third attend on some evangelical worship. Number of youth 
 between the ages of 4 and 21 is 600, of whom 250 attend 
 some Sabbath School. Four young men from this place are 
 now laboring in the Congregational ministry, and two are 
 studying for it. 
 
 TUFTONBOEOUGH. 
 
 In 1836 Kev. J. Dodge labored here as a missionary. No 
 church then existed here. A smaU one gathered thirty years 
 before became extinct. This year there were six hopeful 
 conversions. In 1838 Rev. J. S. Winter preached three 
 weeks. Eev. R. W. Fuller supplied this church in 1839, 
 and some religious awakening was experienced, and 13 were 
 added to the church by profession. In 1840 Rev. J. Dodge 
 supplied them one-third of the time. In 1844 Rev. J. S. 
 Winter preached here one-third of the time. Three persons 
 
596 CAEEOLL COUKTY. 
 
 united with the church, one of whom had been a Universalist 
 preacher a number of years. The church now numbers 34. 
 In 1845 Eev. Ehas Chapman ministered in the place one- 
 fourth of the time. 
 
 WAKEFIELD. 
 
 Rev. Natha.n'iel Barker. 
 
 The Congregational church in Wakefield was organized 
 Sept. 17, 1785, consisting of nine members. On the same 
 day the first pastor, Eev. Asa Piper, was ordained. The 
 contract for his support was made by the town, and he 
 received from the town the right of land appropriated to the 
 first minister. On that land he built his house and culti- 
 vated a farm. His contract with the town was broken after 
 a few years, and his support was raised by subscription. — 
 Some leading men in town were anti-ministerial. His sup- 
 port was not adequate — he labored some at that period as 
 an itinerant missionary, and still retained his relation as 
 pastor to this church. This relation continued till his death 
 in May 1835. Mr. Piper, submitted to many privations, 
 and encountered many difficulties during his ministry. He 
 was a worthy, good man, and was useful in promoting the 
 interests of the town in various ways. He looked well to 
 the cause of education, and was instrumental in establishing 
 a circulating library at an early period. During the ministry 
 of Mr. Piper so far as can be ascertained, 32 members were 
 received into the church. The second minister, Kev. Samuel 
 ISTichols, was installed colleague pastor of this church, Sept. 
 22, 1828. When he was settled there were only nine mem- 
 bers in the church. During his ministry 39 were admitted 
 to its fellowship. For want of support he was dismissed 
 May 7, 1833. 
 
 The present minister of this church, Eev. ISiatlianiel Bar- 
 ker, commenced preaching as stated supply July 1835. At 
 that time there were 29 members of the church — 45 mem- 
 bers have since been admitted. The church now consists of 
 35 members. This church is a missionary church — has been 
 for many years, and must still be dependent on foreign aid. 
 There are in Wakefield two Freewill Baptist churches — one 
 consists of 40 members, the other was disturbed by the delu- 
 sion of Millerism in 1843, and their pastor and a large 
 portion of the members have since separated from the com- 
 munion of the church. There is also a Methodist church in 
 
WOLFBOROUGH. 597 
 
 town — in a low state, and destitute of preaching. Tliere were 
 some good citizens who were willing to make sacrifices to 
 secure the ordinances of the gospel, but the town was not 
 settled generally by the Puritan stock. The minister's work 
 here has always been hard and difficult, and when a little suc- 
 cess crowns his labors in a revival of God's work, he lives in 
 the expectation that the newly added members of the church 
 ivill soon be removed to other communities. The tide is 
 always going out. But the Lord is the stay of his people. 
 
 WOLFBOROUGH. » 
 
 This town was incorporated 1770. The act of incorpora- 
 tion is addressed to the loving subjects of George IIL — 
 Whether the inhabitants had any preaching previous to 
 their incorporation is not known. The earliest record we 
 can find is furnished by a vote of the town March 30, 1774 : 
 ''That the town will not raise any sum toward building a 
 Meeting-house." But on the 25th of August of the same 
 year it "Voted, that £6, 6s. be raised to hire a minis- 
 ter ; and that 21s. be paid weekly till that sum be expend- 
 ed." Whether this sum was thus expended, or if so, upon 
 whom, is not recorded. The next entry on this subject is 
 at a town meeting on the 13th of November 1781 : "Voted, 
 to hire Mr. Andrew Collins to preach and keep school." — 
 In 1786, at the annual town meeting, it was "Voted to fix on 
 a spot, to clear a place, and to raise money to build a Meet- 
 ing-house." At a legal town meeting, held August 1792, 
 "Voted, to give Mr. Ebenezer Allen a call to settle as a min- 
 ister of the gospel in this town ; that there be a committee 
 chosen to express this call to Mr. Allen. Voted, that Col. 
 Henry Eust and 39 other persons (whose names are record- 
 ed) be this committee." At an adjourned meeting, Aug. 30, 
 1792, the above committee reported that, "they had unani- 
 mously agreed to give Mr. Allen a call." 
 
 A council was assembled on the 25th of October 1792, 
 and having examined as regards their Christian experience, 
 and qualification for church membership, eight persons, they 
 were formed into a Congregational church by confession of 
 faith and covenant. After which the council proceeded to 
 the examination and ordination of Kev. Ebenezer Allen as 
 its pastor. The sermon preached on the occasion was pub- 
 lished. It is evangelical and highly instructive. During 
 
 * Sketch by Rev. S. Merrill. ' , . 
 
598 ^ CAEBOLL COUNTY. 
 
 the first year of his ministry, six members were admitted by 
 profession ; the second, three by jarofession and one by letter ; 
 tlie third, one by profession ; tlie fifth, two ; the sixth, two ; 
 tlie seventh, one by letter ; the eighth, two by jJi'ofession. — 
 Here the records fail — making the number at the organiza- 
 tion and added during eight years, 26. Mr. Allen preached 
 on the Sabbath July 1806, and died the same night of apo- 
 plexy. After the decease of Rev. Mr. Allen the church was 
 destitute of a pastor, and though they had occasional mis- 
 sionary labors it continued to diminish. No records can be 
 found of the church after the death of the pastor. In the 
 mean time an academy was instituted in the village at 
 Smith's Bridge ; the teachers of which preached on the Sab- 
 bath in the building. Among these are numbered Eev. 
 Enos Merrill, Eev. Mr. Cleveland, now of Lowell, Ms., 
 Eev. Thomas P. Beach. In 1834, June 17th, a council was 
 called by the request of several persons residing at the 
 bridge, for the purpose of being organized into a Congrega- 
 tional church. And as there is no mention made, in the 
 record of this transaction, of any j^revious organization, it is 
 presumed there was no remnant of the former church on 
 which to build. Twelve persons were examined and formed, 
 by confession and covenant, into a church, and the Lord's 
 Supper administered to them. Sept. 21st of the same year, 
 Eev. Joshua Dodge of Moultonborough administered the 
 Lord's Supper to this church, a.nd admitted 11 persons by 
 profession and 4 by letter. 
 
 June 17, 1835, the church having extended a call to Mr. 
 Thomas P. Beach, he was ordained its first pastor. Mr. 
 Beach continued his labors with the church until January 
 1838. After which, several students from Gilmanton theo- 
 logical seminary supplied them. 
 
 October 1838, the church extended a call to Mr. Jeremiah 
 Blake, a graduate of Grilmanton seminary, who was ordained 
 the second pastor of this church Nov. 1, 1838. In 1840, in 
 a neighborhood where scarcely a religious meeting had been 
 held for thirty five years, God poured out his Spirit in con- 
 nection with some special religious efforts. In July, as the 
 fruits of the work, 15 were added to the church Four were 
 the children of a widov/ed mother who had given them up 
 in baptism. Another was a woman 84 years of age, and 
 blind. Another was a middle aged woman evidently in a 
 dechne. From 1840 to 1845 there is a blank in the record. 
 During which time Eev. Mr. Blake was dismissed, and Eev. 
 Jeffries Hall became preceptor of the academy and. stated 
 supply to the church. During his ministry their present 
 
WOLFBOEOUGH. 599 
 
 house of worsliip was erected, wliicli was dedicated Jan. 26, 
 1847. Eev. Mr. Hall supplied until 1851. 
 
 In the spring of 1852 the church and parish extended a 
 call to Eev. Nelson Barbour, who was installed their third 
 pastor June 16, 1852. In tliis relation he continued until 
 Nov. 27, 1854, when, at his request, his pastoral relation was 
 dissolved by a mutual council. Whole number admitted to 
 this chm-ch 117. Present number 58. 
 
 WOLFBOEOUGH NOETH. 
 
 Rev. Stephen Merrill. 
 
 Previous to the formation of the church at Smith's bridge, 
 the Freewill Baptists and the Christian connection had each 
 formed two or more churches and erected three or four 
 houses of worship. Very few of the inhabitants in the 
 neighborhood of the Congregational house preferred Congre- 
 gational preaching. Hence missionaries who •^'isited the place 
 preached in school-houses to accommodate the different sec- 
 tions of the town. But at the Bridge a village had been gath- 
 ering and the teachers in the Academy had held public wor- 
 ship in that building. This continued throrrgh the ministry 
 of Eev. Mr. Blake. Meantime, North W^olfborough, for- 
 merly designated by the name of Diman's Corner, six miles 
 from the Bridge, attracted the attention of Eev. Mr. Blake. 
 On the 3d of April 1839 he appointed a lecture, and, finding 
 encouragement in connection with licentiates from Gilman- 
 ton thelogical seminary and two Methodist preachers, com- 
 menced a protracted meeting on the 6th of April. It pleased 
 God to commence a work of grace which in a few months 
 resulted, it was hoped, in the conversion of about thirty 
 indi\'iduals. Mr. Eobert Fuller, one of the licentiates above 
 named, was engaged by them two-thirds of the time for one 
 year. 
 
 June 18th, 1839, a council was called who fonned, on the 
 19 th, a second Congregational church known as the North 
 Wolfborough Congregational church — consisting at its organ- 
 ization of 15 members. This is numerically the third Con- 
 gregational church in town, but only one remained until 
 now. Sept. 21st, 1843, Rev. James Uoldt was ordained the 
 first pastor of this church. A jjrecious revival was enjoyed 
 at this time which brought an addition of 21 members. In 
 1844 a house of worship was erected at North Wolfborough, 
 and dedicated to the worship of God. May 1848, Eev. Mr. 
 
600 
 
 CARROLL COUNTY. 
 
 Doldt was dismissed by an ecclesiastical council, for want of 
 adequate support. In 1849 Kev. James Hobart performed 
 a few weeks of missionary labor, and once administered to 
 them the Lord's supper. From November 1850, Rev. Stephen 
 Merrill has supplied this church, but has not been installed 
 as their ]iastor. The whole number admitted to this church 
 is 81. The present number is 56. 
 
 EIGHT TOWNS. 
 
 Albany. — Incorporated 1766. Population 455. Freewill 
 Baptist church of 41 members, and no other. 
 
 Bartlett. — Incorporated 1790. Population 761. A 
 Freewill Baptist church of 33 members. 
 
 Brookfield. — Incorporated 1794. Population 552. A 
 Baptist church of 10 members, and a Freewill Baptist church 
 of 38. 
 
 Chatham. — Incorporated 1767. Population 516. No 
 church, unless there is one of the Christian denomination. 
 
 Eaton. — Incorporated 1766. Population 1751 in 1850. 
 A Baptist church of 65 members. 
 
 Freedom. — Incorporated 1831. Population 910. 
 
 Jackson. — Once called Adams. Incorporated 1800. — 
 Population 589. Freewill Baptist church of 88 members. 
 
 Madison. — Incorporated 1853, taking a part of EfEngham, 
 Population 875. A Freewill Baptist church of 73 members. 
 
.'.(!i.'tS-' 
 
 €ms €mmh. 
 
 COLEBROOK AND VICINITY.* 
 
 Rev. J. B. Hill, 
 
 Tliis town and the vicinity in which settlements were 
 aiade a short time previous to the commencement of the 
 present centurj^ was from its earhest date visited frequently 
 by missionaries from Connecticut, Massachusetts, and the 
 older portions of this State. Among the earlier settlers, 
 but few were professors of religion, yet many had been train- 
 ed under the rules and discipline of Congregationalism, and 
 their predilections were in favor of that denomination. The 
 larger portion of the settlers came up the Connecticut river, 
 either directly from Connecticut and the river towns of 
 Massachusetts, or were descendants of those who had pre- 
 viously pitched their tents in this beautiful valley in the 
 southern parts of Vermont and New Hampshire. Inter- 
 spersed with these were some who came up the Merrimac 
 from Old Northfield, Sanbornton, and that vicinity. Many 
 of them brought with them strong attachments to the 
 church order of their Puritan ancestors, and longed for its 
 establishment and pei-petuity in this place. Steps were 
 early taken to found a church, and enjoy the ordinances of 
 the Sanctuary. Yet intermingled with those who cherished 
 this Puritan element of society were not a few of lax prin- 
 ciples, who rejoiced to be freed from the rigidity of ortho- 
 doxy ; and some who came out in bitter opposition to the 
 peculiar doctrines of the "standing order." In many of 
 those early settlements there was little appearance of reli- 
 gion, and some of the settlers seemed to rejoice in the privi- 
 lege of being unchecked and unawed by law or gospel. In 
 some important neighborhoods, the most prominent and 
 influensial citizens were men making no pretensions to per- 
 sonal piety, if not inclined to infidelity, and whose influence 
 in banishing the restraints of religion from the minds of 
 many in the community, is seen and felt at the present day 
 in its injurious effects upon the risen and rising generations. 
 
 * See some towns at close of County. \ 
 
 39 
 
602 
 
 coos COUNTY. 
 
 Nor was this influence diminished, or its deleterious effects 
 obviated, by the fact, that in this class were found some who 
 were ready to act a prominent part in sustaining and con- 
 troling the preaching of the day. They were the avowed 
 friends of order, and though of lax principles themselves, 
 they seemed to think the public good required in some 
 degree the observance of the Sabbath, and the ordinances of 
 worship, and for this purpose a sustained ministry ; and 
 looked to the Congregationalists to furnish the minister. — 
 With this view many of them freely contributed, not only 
 in pecuniary means, but in personal influence, both for set- 
 tling and VMsettlmg ministers. 
 
 In 1802, December 4, a church was organized in Cole- 
 brook by Rev. J. Willard of Lunenburg, Vt., under the 
 name of Monadnock Church, so called from a prominent 
 mountain on the Vermont side of the river, just opposite 
 the place of organization. This nucleus of a church consist- 
 ed of ten members, eight of whom were received from otheif 
 churches, and two by profession. Of this number four resid- 
 ed in Columbia, (then called Cockburn,) two in Canaan, 
 Vt., two in Hereford, Lower Canada, one in Colebrook and 
 one in Lemington, Vt. This church was subsequently call- 
 ed the Church of Christ in Colebrook and Vicinity. An 
 effort was made at that time to settle Mr. Willard over the 
 church he had organized. The town of Colebrook, in town 
 meeting Dec. 8, 1802, passed a vote to give Mr. Willard a 
 call to settle over them as their minister, and to offer him 
 for salary 200 bushels of wheat to be paid on the first of 
 January, and % 100 in money at the end of the year, and to 
 cut and draw him thirty cords of hard wood yearly, "pro- 
 vided the towns of Stewartstown, Cockburn, Canaan, Lem- 
 ington and Miuehead, (now Bloomfield, Vt.,) would bear 
 their proportion, according to their list." But as there in 
 no record of farther proceedings on the subject, that propo- 
 sition was probably rejected by those towns. Considering 
 the condition of the town at that time, the compensation 
 proposed must be regarded as liberal. No other effort for 
 the settlement of a minister was made until an invitation 
 was extended to Mr. Dyer Burge, by the town of Colebrook, 
 June 17, 1809, — in town meeting it was " Voted to settle 
 Mr. Dyer Burge as a minister in and for the town of Cole- 
 brook in connection with the towns of Cockburn (Columbia,) 
 Canaan, Stewartstown, Lemington and Minehead (Bloom- 
 field,) — provided those towns annually contribute the sum 
 of $1.52 during the term of five years from the settlement. 
 Voted $300 salary, half in wheat." On these terms he was 
 
,COLEBROOK AND VICINITY. 603 
 
 ordained and settled in 1810. One female was the only 
 member of the church then residing in Colebrook. The 
 whole number of members was fifteen ; of whom six were in 
 Columbia, three in Lemington, two in Canaan, two in 
 Hereford, one in Stewartstown, one in Colebrook. The 
 town of Colebrook levied a tax in 1810 to raise their 
 proportion of salary, amounting to $153,36, — their town, 
 county and school taxes were but $156,23. So that tJie 
 ministerial tax tvas just about equal to all their other money 
 taxes. This speaks well of their disposition to support a 
 minister. The number of tax payers that year was 56. 
 After a year or two, Mr. Burge relinquished his claim upon 
 the town and relied alone upon the voluntary contributions 
 of his parishioners, and keeping school part of the time, for 
 Ms support. 
 
 Between 1802 and '10, missionaries labored on this field 
 part of the time, and, when there was no preaching, reading 
 meetings were state<lly held and well attended on the Sab- 
 bath, and five more were added to the church. In 1810, on 
 the settlement of a pastor, a season of more than ordinary 
 religious interest was enjoyed, and 22 more were gathered 
 into the church, Mr. Burge continued as pastor till 1815, 
 and was regarded by the church as an orthodox, able and 
 acceptable preacher, but in consequence of troubles and 
 opposing influences out of the church, he was then, at his 
 own request, honorably dismissed. He afterwards settled 
 in Ohio, and was still laboring there in November 1855. 
 
 The church was destitute of a pastor from 1815 to 1825,, 
 but were favored with missionary laborers much of the time. 
 The blessing was not withheld. Seasons of refreshing and 
 precious ingatherings were enjoyed, particularly in 1822-3., 
 In these two years 37 were added to the church. The labors 
 of Rev. A. Eankin in 1822-3, and of Eev. J. L. Hale in 
 1823-4, appear to have been highly successful. In 1825, 
 Mr. 0. G. Thatcher was called, and ordained as pastor of the 
 church for five years. At his own request he was dismissed 
 in 1828. He was regarded as sound in doctrine, an able 
 and faithful preacher, but too much inclined to look upon 
 t?ie shady side to bear up with the trials and privations he 
 was called to undergo in this umbrageous field. From 1828 
 to 1830 the church was again dependent upon missionaries. 
 In 1830 the venerable Rev. Moses Bradford, formerly of 
 Francestown, was hired as stated supply, and in 1832 his 
 fion, Mr. Ebenezer C Bradford, accepted a call, and was 
 ordained Feb. 29, as pastor of the church. He sustained 
 that relation till Feb. 1836, and was then dismissed upon 
 
' 604 GOOS COUNTY. 
 
 his own request. This result was occasioned more by influ- 
 ences from without, than disturbances or dissatisfaction 
 within the church. As a preacher and pastor he was esteem- 
 ed, and is still remembered with aifectionate regard. From 
 •18.36 to '38 the ground was occupied as in former times by 
 missionaries. From 1838 to 1840, Kev. Wm. E. Holmes- 
 was employed as stated supply. In 1840 he was succeeded 
 by Rev. Charles A. Eichardson, who continued till 1846. — 
 He was succeeded in March 1847 by Rev. Wm. A. Patten, 
 who officiated three months and then left this field, appa- 
 rently because he deemed the ground too hard for him to 
 cultivate. He was followed, Oct. 1, 1847, by Rev. Joseph 
 B. Hdl, who is the present acting pastor of the church. — 
 Among others who rnay have labored in this field as mis- 
 sionaries, but are not now recollected, may be found the 
 names of Rev. Mr. Hagan from Hartford, Conn., previous 
 to the organization of the church ; Rev. Mr. Page, 1804 :, 
 Carpenter, 1806 ; Page, 1807 ; Courser, 1816 ; N. Waldo' 
 1819, and 1821 ; Buxton ; Wm. Goddard, 1826 ; and J. 
 Holt, 1833. Rev. Messrs. Burge, Thatcher, Bradford and 
 son. Holmes, Richardson, Patten and Hill are the only ones 
 ever engaged on contract, as pastors, or stated supplies. — 
 The amount of compensation, when stated, has for the most 
 part been very moderate, and for years stated supplies have 
 officiated without any previously stipulated compensation, 
 pledged or promised, except the voluntary contributions of 
 their parishioners. As might be expected, they have not 
 been troubled with surplus funds, after supplying the bare 
 necessaries of life. The amount per year, raised and paid;, 
 would probably range from $200 to $300, and but seldom 
 much over the former sum. Occasionally a little aid has 
 been asked and received from the Missionary Society. Of 
 the pecuniaiy sacrifices for the support of preaching here,, 
 but little, in general, can be said. A few have done vrell^ 
 but a vast majority, both v/ithin and without the church, 
 seem never to liave appreciated the declaration that "it is 
 more blessed to give than to receive." Of couree not much 
 has been contributed for the benevolent objects of the day. 
 
 The church has from the first been very much scattered. 
 Its memljers were found in the valley of the Connecticut 
 from Stratford to Canada, a distance of nearly forty miles. 
 The Vvrhole number connected with it has been 217. Their 
 residence at the time of uniting was as fdlows : Colebrook 
 80, Columbia 60, Stewartstown 36, Lemington 20, Canaan 
 7, Hereford 6, Stratford 6, Clarksville 2. Of these 63 have 
 died, 91 been dismissed to other churches, 5 excluded — in 
 
COLEBEOOK ANB VICINITY. 605 
 
 all 158, leaving 59 at present enrolled as members. Of these, 
 9 reside from seven to twenty two miles distant, 5 are above 
 70 years of age. 
 
 This church, as the above statement will show, has been 
 greatly reduced by dismissions. In 1837, '38 and '39, 32 
 were dismissed, including a large proportion of its most effi- 
 cient members, and greatly diminishing its strength. But 
 the cause of Christ was, without doubt, advanced by it. — 
 Many of those members were a part of a colony that went 
 out to Wisconsin, located at Beloit, and gave that place its 
 high character for order, science, literature, morals and reli- 
 gion. The colony located and settled that place. The first 
 religious meeting ever held in that county was conducted by 
 one of those members the Sabbath succeeding their arrival 
 in that place in August 1837. One of the first objects 
 sought was a church in which to worship God, — thus indi- 
 cating that they were of the true Puritan stock. The 
 school-house, the academy, and soon after the college and 
 female seminary arose. To the inquiry, who were the foun- 
 ders of these, and where were they from, the reply is, they 
 were members of the church in Colebrook and vicinity, and 
 came from that hard field and northern clime. 
 
 In 1846, 25 more were dismissed by a unanimous vote, to 
 form a church in Stewartstown. This step, though greatl^v 
 weakening the mother church, was regarded as demanded 
 for the advancement of the general cause, and was cheerfully 
 taken. The Methodists, Freewill Baptists, Baptists, and 
 Christian orders, have labored some twenty or thirty years 
 on portions of this ground, and have established churches of 
 their order here. So that at the present time there are a 
 sufficient number of houses well built, and well located, as 
 places of worship, for the accommodation of the inhabitants 
 in these towns, and most of them are occupied on every 
 Sabbath. Almost every religious society here has pledged 
 a support, more or less liberal, to its ministers. And they 
 are laboring harmoniously for the advancement of the com- 
 mon cause, and with encouraging success. Of these houses, 
 two are in Stratford, two in Columbia, two in Colebrook, 
 and two in Stewartstown. Two are Congregationalist, two 
 Methodist, two Calvinist Baptist, one Christian and Freewill 
 Baptist, and one Methodist, Christian and Freewill Baptist, 
 and one Union, that is open for preachers of any denomina- 
 tion who may sfee fit to occupy it. In favorable seasons and 
 good weather, the congregations in these churches range 
 from 75 to 200 attendants. About one-third of the popula- 
 tion are thus brought to the house of God on the Sabbath, 
 
606 
 
 coos COUNTY. 
 
 when under the most favorable circumstances. The state 
 of morals, low as it still is, when compared with what it 
 should be, is yet far in advance of what it was forty years 
 ago. Over a portion of this territory the Milleritish excite- 
 ment spread like wildfire, during the years 1842, '43 and 
 '44, — and left its usual results upon society. Of the 217 
 members of the church, 40 have come in by letter and 177 
 by profession. The adult baptisms recorded are 43, which 
 would leave 134 of those added by profession as having been 
 baptized in infancy. The baptisms of children of the church 
 have been 192. 
 
 This history is commended to the perusal of the friends 
 of Home Missions for their encouragement. It calls for 
 grateful praise to our Redeemer. 
 
 DALTON.* 
 
 Incorporated in 1784. Population 750. Formerly knowE 
 as Apthorp. The Congregational church was organized 
 April 28, 1816, composed of nine members. There have 
 been added to the church since its formation 64, making the 
 whole number 73 — twenty six males and forty seven females. 
 The largest number ever added to the church in one year is 
 16 in 1834, — the fruits of an interesting revival in 1833 and 
 '34, under the labors of Rev. William Hutchinson. The 
 following ministers have been employed by the church since 
 its formation : Rev. Mr. Goddard, who organized the church ; 
 Eev. Messrs. Hovey, Willey, Luke A. Spofford, Bradford, 
 William Hutchinson, Edward Buxton and Horace Wood. 
 The last named was pastor of the church nearly six years, 
 from July 1839 to May 1845, and the only pastor ever- 
 installed over the church. During his labors there were 26 
 additions to tlie church, most of whom were young people ; 
 one of whom has since become a minister of the gospel. — 
 Two of the members of the church have become ministers' 
 wives, and several others are now teachers at the West. 
 Since the dismission of the pastor, they have enjoyed the 
 labors, a part of the time, of Rev. Messrs. Marsh and Blake 
 — the latter being of the Freewill Baptist denomination. 
 The church now numbers 29. Among the ministers em- 
 ployed should also be mentioned Rev. Drury Fairbank, who 
 had for many years a fatherly care over this church and 
 people. Often has he rode from Littleton — twelve miles — to 
 attend weddings, funerals and religious meetings. 
 
 » Sketch by Rev. H. Wood. 
 
LANCASTER. 607 
 
 The church for many years was very feeble. But it was 
 their practice to have meetings every Sabbath, whether they 
 had a minister or not. Their meetings, together with a 
 Sabbath Scliool were, for a long time, carried on mainly by 
 one man. For many years he was the superintendent of the 
 Sabbath School, and many meetings were held, when no 
 other one could be depended upon to lead in prayer. Others 
 would sometimes read the sermon, but the deacon, as he was 
 called, must make the prayers. He was afterwards chosen 
 deacon of the church, but has since moved from the town. 
 Every feeble church and every pastor, that has such a deacon 
 to rely upon, is highly favored. This church has been twice 
 re-organized ; once by Rev. Mr. Buxton of Boscawen, and 
 then afterwards through Eev. David Perry's influence, aided 
 by a council. The first church became somewhat Unitarian. 
 
 LANCASTER.* 
 
 Rev. E. B. CUAMBEHLAIN. 
 
 This is an old town. It was granted and settled the same 
 year, 1763. David Page and his family came here, 48 miles 
 from Haverhill by marked tl-ees, there being no inhabitants 
 on the entire route. 
 
 About thirty years elapsed before a church was organ- 
 ized. One was gathered in 1794, and Ee\. Joseph Willard 
 was installed its pastor. The church was very feeble for 
 many years. But many tokens of God's compassion were 
 shown it. In 1821 it had 59 members. Mr. Willard had a 
 long ministry and had a strong hold upon the people. He 
 ceased to be their pastor Oct. 16, 1822. In January 1824, 
 Eev. J. R. Wheelock was settled among them. He remained 
 but one year. In 1825 they again employed Mr. Willard. 
 They had no pastor until 1829 when Eev. Luke A. Spofford 
 was settled among them. He remained only until sometime 
 in 1831. In 1831-2 a most powerful revival was enjoyed. 
 It brought about 40 into the church, increasing the church 
 to about 90 members. 
 
 Oct. 24, 1832, Eev. A. Govan was settled here. The 
 blessing of God was on his labors. Fifteen were added the 
 first year and 12 the second, carrying the church up in num- 
 ber to 121. Mr. Govan was dismissed Aug. 25, 1835. In 
 1838 we find Eev. C. W. Eichardson here, with the church 
 much reduced in numbers and eleven added that year. In 
 
 * Sketch by Compiler. . 
 
608 coos COUNTY. 
 
 1841 Rev. David Perry came among them and was settled 
 June 7, 1842. He remained about five years. Some forty 
 or fifty were added to the church daring his labors, mainly 
 by letter. Rev. Stejihen A. Barnard was employed in 1848 
 and preached here about five years, but was not settled. Rev. 
 Isaac Wiston was stated supply for a short time, and at 
 present the Rev. E. B. Chamberlain ministers to them the 
 word of life. Some interest was manifest soon after Mr. 
 Chamberlain began his work. Twelve have been added to 
 the church the past year. It now numbers 79. 
 
 SHELBURNE. STARK. 
 
 Shelburne. — Incorporated 1820. Population 480. It 
 is connected with the churches in Maine, as it lies east of 
 the mountains. In 1810 Rev. Caleb Burge was here, and 
 preached to "a solemn assembly." The people were few, 
 and yet struggling amid the trials incident to a new country, 
 and the sweet sound of the gospel was very charming in 
 their ears. In 1816 there was a church of six members ; 
 ten years later it embraced 13 members. In 1839 Rev. H. 
 Richardson was here, and continued his labors for seven or 
 eight years a part of the time, laboring amidst many sacri- 
 fices. Rev. D. Burt is now laboring here a part of the time. 
 
 Stark. — Formerly Piercy. Incorporated 1795. Popu- 
 lation 418, In 1810 Rev. Caleb Burge gathered a church 
 here of 7 members. In 1831 there were 13 members. A 
 small Methodist society is here. 
 
 ' STEWARTSTOWN AND VICINITY. * 
 
 This church was originally organized by members dismissed 
 for that purpose from the church in Colebrook and vicinity. 
 Residing from six to twelve miles from the house of worship in 
 Colebrook, they found it extremely difficult to attend statedly 
 on the means of grace there, and for many years had been 
 deeply solicitous to have the ministrations of the gospel 
 brought nearer their homes. They endeavored to attend at 
 Colebrook on communion Sabbaths and at such other times 
 as circumstances would admit. Occasionally they were 
 favored with a sermon from the preacher at Colebrook. In 
 
 » Sketch by Rev. J. B. Hill. 
 
STEWAKTSTOWN AND VICINITY. 609 
 
 * 
 
 addition to wliicli, in order to maintain and advance tlieir 
 growth in grace and benefit tlaose wlio were around them, 
 they established a religious exercise on the Sabbath under 
 the name of a " Bible Class," on the principle of mutual 
 instruction. 
 
 In the spring of 1846, Eev. Josiah Morse from St. Johns- 
 bury, Vt., a practicing physician, was induced to locate in 
 West Stewartstown and devote his services to both his pro- 
 fessions. Application for letters of dismission was made to 
 the church in Colebrook. Their request was granted, and, 
 on the 1st of July 1846, a church was organized at West 
 Stewartstown, under the name of " The Congregational 
 Church in Stewartstown, Canaan and Vicinity." In the 
 organization the services were- performed by Rev. Messrs. 
 Thomas Hall of Guildhall, Vt., C. W. Richardson of Cole- 
 brook, and Josiah Morse of West Stewartstown. The num- 
 ber who then united at its organization, was 20. Foiu- were 
 added before the close of the year. Of these 16 resided in 
 Stewartstown, seven in Canaan, Vt., one in Hereford, Lower 
 Canada. Subsequent additions have been 13 — total 37. — 
 From Stewartstown twenty two, Canaan eleven, Hereford two 
 Pittsburg one. Of these three have died, two have been 
 dismissed, one excluded, leaving tliirty two present mem- 
 bers, two of which are non resident. Adult baptisms one, 
 infant baptisms four. 
 
 Eev. J. Morse ofhciated as stated supply from 1846 to 
 1850, practicing as a physician as well as preacher. Rev. 
 Andrew Rankin from 1850, one year ; Rev. John Wooster 
 from 1853 half the time, one year ; from 1851 to 1853 des- 
 titute ; 1855, Rev. E. F. Abbott preached nine weeks. — 
 Messrs. Rankin, Wooster and Abbott were aided by the New 
 Hampshire Missionary Society. The average amount raised 
 by the church and society for the support of the gospel 
 annually, when they had preachers, was about f 160, the 
 larger portion of which came from the members of the 
 church, most of whom contributed liberally in proportion to 
 their means ; and they are still willing and desirous so to do, 
 provided they can obtain from the Great Shepherd of the 
 flock an under shepherd to go in and out before them and 
 lead into the green pastures and beside the still waters. The 
 importance of sustaining the ordinances of the gospel in this 
 place is apparent, from the fact, that this church is conve- 
 niently situated in a central portion of a population of some 
 600 or 800 inhabitants, having no other organized church of 
 any denomination, and but very little preaching of any 
 description. 
 
610 
 
 coos COUNTY. 
 
 WHITEFIELD. 
 
 Granted in 1774, it was soon after settled but was slow 
 in the increase of its population — in 1810 there were only- 
 Si inhabitants — in 1850 there were 857. In 1826 there 
 was a church here of six members. Two years afterwards 
 it rose to IS members ; the next year to 22. In 1830, Rev. 
 Wm. Hutchinson began to labor here, and continued about 
 five yeai's. Twenty eight were added to the church under 
 his labors. He was a man of deep and ardent piety — truly 
 a man of God. In 1839, Rev. Horace Wood gave a portion 
 of his time to this field, and continued to do so for about six 
 years. Some souls were converted and 17 were added to 
 the church. In 1846-7, Eev. J. Marsh was here ; the 
 church numbered 25, and 70 pupils in Sabbath School. — 
 The number is now much reduced. 0, how these destitute 
 places need the labors of such men as have been blest of 
 God in them in years past. Lord, how long ? Our help 
 is in the name of the Lord tuho made heaven and earth. 
 
 OTHER TOWNS. 
 
 The following three towns have each less than 100 inhab- 
 itants — C'amhridge^ Dixvillc and Millsfleld ; the following 
 less than 200 — Berlin, Clarksville, Dummer, Errol and 
 Randolph. In none of these eight towns is there any church 
 unless Clarksville and Dummer be excepted, where a church 
 of (yQ Freewill Baptists are found. In the count)' there are 
 about 90 Baptist members in Carroll, Jefferson, and Strat- 
 ford ; about 400 or 500 Methodists in Berlin, Columbia, 
 Dalton, LoMcaster, Milan, Pittsburgh (formerly Indian 
 Stream,) Stratford, Steioartstoivn and Whitefeld. About 
 200 members of Congregational churches are now found in 
 the county. Two towns, Kilhenny and Success have actu- 
 ally become extinct, upon the same principle that our church- 
 es become so much weakened and some of them extinct — 
 the men who might build the waste places are attracted by 
 more inviting fields, hoth. morcd and a^rtcMftwra?, somewhere 
 else ; but they are someiohere and at work too. 
 
 PROGRESS. 
 
 In 1800, members of Conj^regational churches in the State were as I to 30 of the popu- 
 lation ; ill IH5I1 as I to 17: Including other denominations, in IttOO evangelical Christians 
 were not more than 1 to 23 ; in 185il they were more than 1 to 8 of the whole populalion. 
 Lei his people ihanlt God and take courage. 
 
BlisrtllnnfniiH Slrticlfsr 
 
 AUTOBIOGKAPHY OF EEV. DAVID SUTHEELAND.f 
 
 At the age of 17, in 1794, I found myself in Edinburgh, 
 the city of my nativity, an apprentice to the printing busi- 
 ness, without father or mother, sister or brother, uncle or 
 aunt, without a dollar in the world, on which to rely, except 
 a pittance of board wages. I date my conversion one year 
 previously to that period. Two years afterwards, the Bab- 
 bath School system commenced its operations in Scotland, 
 and I entered earnestly into its service. I made full prepar- 
 ation to instruct my school, of which I was the sole mana- 
 ger ; with which I was so delighted, that I formed the pur- 
 pose, Grod willing, that I should prepare for the ministry, 
 and entered myself as a pupil in a Latin evening school. — 
 It was about the time that the famous Eobert and James 
 Haldane (whose memoirs have been recently re-published in 
 this country) began to excite a deep religious interest in 
 Scotland ; and, just as my apprenticeship expired, I was 
 admitted as a student in the seminary which the elder of 
 these brothers instituted for training young men for the 
 ministry. The students had a quarterly allowance of money 
 which furnished us with all the comforts of life ; classics and 
 access to a full library were gratuitous. I commenced my 
 ministerial life on the first Sabbath of the present century, and 
 in the third year afterwards crossed the Atlantic. My first 
 Sabbath in Bath was the third in the year 1804 ; and my 
 installation was in the following year. I had been ordained 
 as an evangelist in view of my coming to America. 1 have 
 supposed that the population of the town, at that time, was 
 about 1000. My call from the church, (then consisting of 
 30 members) was unanimous. And I understood only five 
 voted against me in the town meeting called for the purpose. 
 The only objection that ever reached me, was made by an 
 excommunicated member of the church, who urged that I 
 was a foreigner. A shrewd German, who had become nat- 
 uralized, asked the objector, whether his great grandfather 
 was a native. He affirmed that he was; " then/' said the 
 German, "he must have been an Indian !" 
 
 » Want of room Bliuts out seveial interesting things here. 
 
 t Written in January 1855, a few monihs before his decease. 
 
612 MISCELLANEOUS AKTICLES. 
 
 From report and observation, I have reason to suppose 
 that previously to the erection of a Meeting-house, and the 
 settlement of a permanent ministry, the inhabitants of the 
 town of Bath might be considered as belonging to the 
 "rough and tumble" class of society; but there was a consid- 
 erable mingling of the "law and order" peoi:)le. These had 
 influence enough to set about erecting a capacious place of 
 worship, in the center of the town, and inviting a minister 
 to occupy it ; in both which objects they succeeded. That 
 the change effected by these means was great, has been fre- 
 quently mentioned to me by people of other towns, deputy 
 sheriffs particularly, whose vocations called them to the 
 place, before and after these occurrences. Dr. Dwight, in 
 Ills Travels in New England, notices it in his second visit, 
 and attributes the change "to the labors of a young Scotch 
 minister who has been recently settled." Be this as it may, 
 the large bulk of the inhabitants, who had hitherto no bond 
 of union, began immediately to crowd into the new Meet- 
 ing-house, long before the joiners had finished the interior, 
 and continued to do so, upwards of twenty years, till indeed, 
 a dissatisfaction began to be entertained respecting the loca- 
 tion of the house of worship. In the year 1835, a division 
 took ]ilace, and my connection with the town was dissolved. 
 
 During the first seven years of my pastoral life, I was 
 sorely grieved with the prevalent use of intoxicating drinks. 
 I could enter no house without encountering the nun bottle, 
 or an apology for its absence. Intemperance was the bane, 
 not only of the church of which I was pastor, but of all 
 churches within my knowledge. Church members would 
 drink, and sometimes to such excess, as to be subjects of 
 discipline ; and prominent members of my congregation, 
 I saw to be in the path that led to the drunkard's grave. — ■ 
 I preached with great plainness and earnestness on the sub- 
 ject of intemperance. But the evil still continued. It 
 occurred to me, at last, that total abstinence could be the 
 only check ; for just as long as temperate drinking continued, 
 intemperate drinking would. I immediately adopted the 
 total abstinence principle, although, for aught I knew, I was 
 alone, in creation, in adopting the principle. But I did adopt 
 it, and not only published in my own congregation, but in. 
 every congregation to which I had access, that I would nev- 
 er offer a drop of strong drink to any man, nor accept it 
 from any man. And my resolution became so extensively 
 known, that, except in one instance, I have not been asked 
 to drink any intoxicating liquor, these forty two years! I 
 do rejoice that the use of strong liquors is banished from the 
 
DAVID SUTHERLAND. 613 
 
 churches (of ray own denomination certainly,) so that a 
 single case of discipline, on this score, has not occurred for 
 twenty or thirty years. During the reign of Alcohol, we 
 had some cases of hopeless excommunication. One of these 
 was peculiarly affecting, and as it demonstrates the ten- 
 dency to sin, of a very popular error, 1 will state it. A man 
 whom I found in the church, was a substantial farmer of 
 good standing and property. After the lapse of some time, 
 it was found he was getting into bad habits. He was seen 
 too often in the bar-room, and his voice was heard loudly 
 among the vain ones — yes, among the scorners. A deacon 
 of the church took occasion to mention to this man, his 
 fears that all was not right. He turned on the good deacon 
 in wrath — angrily declaring that "he had been long enough 
 in the leading strings of a pharisaical church." The church 
 took its course, and he took his. The poor man jiroceeded 
 from bad to worse, till he ended his days in the alms-house, 
 indulging in the language of profanity and passion to the 
 last. On one occasion 1 met the wretched man at a wed- 
 ding. Half intoxicated, in the presence of the company, he 
 challenged me to debate on the sul)ject of Universalism. — 
 On my declining, he threw himself into a violent passion, 
 and became so intolerably abusive, that it was necessary to 
 use force, to remove him. And this, alas, was a man into 
 whose hand I had often put the cup of blessing ! Lord what 
 is man ! 
 
 I was settled in the town of Bath on a salary of $ 400, 
 which was regularly assessed by the selectmen. How 
 much I received of the nominal sum I never know. I gave 
 direction to the collectors to take nothing on my account, 
 from such as were unable or unwilling to pay a tax, and in 
 some cases I actually re-funded to those who paid grudging- 
 ly — and this left a large margin for the cancelling process at 
 my settlement with the collectors. Indeed, were it not for 
 the generosity of kind friends in town and out of town, I 
 must have sunk in bankruptcy. But my principle on this 
 point, has left me the enjoyment of an easy conscience. My 
 heavenly Father gave me a prudent, healthy, diligent, self- 
 denying wife, who, by the aid of some property she inher- 
 ited, greatly helped us along Ihrough life. That beloved 
 partner, equaled by few, excelled by none, was called sud- 
 denly away, years ago, to her heavenly state as a shock of 
 corn fully ripe. 
 
 Marriage fees helped considerably. My last number was 
 427. In early times, (and indeed in some instances to this 
 day,) bridegrooms did not value their brides above the soli- 
 
G14 MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES. 
 
 tary dollar, although there have been some generous excep- 
 tions. I have been asked sometimes, if ever I got half a 
 bushel of beans, as a .marriage fee ? The report is true. 
 And in another case still worse than that on the occasion 
 referred to, I had a journey of some twenty miles to perform. 
 It was so long ago as when half dollar bills were issued by 
 the banks. My fee consisted of two of these bills — the one 
 was a counterfeit, and the other on a bank that bad ceased 
 payment. When called out of town to preach funeral ser- 
 mons, I have sometimes received a generous present ; but 
 these cases, hke angel visits, were " few and far between." 
 I have been called to the interments of from 1200 to 1500 
 jiersons, a large number of these out of town, to the dis- 
 ance of twenty, thirty and even forty miles, and, in nine- 
 tenths of these cases, received nothing. In the case of one 
 family, out of town and over a very rugged mountain, I 
 have performed funeral services eleven twies, for which I 
 received twenty five cents! I have preached twelve or fifteen 
 dedication sermons — for some of which I have received hand- 
 some fees — but for several not even thanks, though one of 
 these was at the distance of sixty, another eighty miles. 
 
 The people in early times were a very plain people, dress- 
 ing in homespun cloth. Every house had its loom and its 
 spinning wheel, and almost every woman was a weaver. — 
 Carding machines were just introduced, and clothiers had 
 plenty of work. I remember the first coat I had made here 
 cost me a dollar and a half per yard, spun and wove by one 
 of my best friends. And I know not that I ever had a bet- 
 ter. For many years, there was not a single wheel carriage 
 in town. People wlio owned horses rode them : and those 
 who had them not, went on foot. Husbands carried their 
 wives behind them on pillions. Upwards of one half of the 
 church going people went on foot. Sleighs or sleds were 
 used in winter time — and I have seen ox sleds at a Meeting- 
 house. For years we had no stoves in the Meeting-house 
 of Bath, and yet in the coldest v/eather the house was always 
 full. In the active periods of my ministerial life my calcu- 
 lation was, to have three services on the Sabbath, and three 
 in the course of the week, neighboring towns furnishing 
 abundant scope for the exercise of my ministry. But now, 
 the infirmities of age have put a period to my labors. 
 
 But on taking a retrospect view of my life, whilst I 
 mourn over my own deficiencies, I rejoice in the events that 
 have occurred during the half century in which it has been my 
 privilege to live, — the increase of evangelical professors of 
 religion in these United States — the number of Sabbath 
 
pastor's wife. 615 
 
 Schools — the decided improvement in the preaching of 
 the cross — the almost entire riddance of the church of 
 intemperance — the closer union of the different evangelical 
 denominations. When I consider all these, I rejoice in be- 
 lieving that I am leaving the world better than I found it. 
 
 THE PASTOR S WIFE. 
 
 This hook should embody a testimony to her faithfulness, 
 and the dignity of her station. She stands between her 
 husband and the world, to relieve him of worldly cares ; 
 between him and poverty, to "mend" and "turn" and 
 "make over" the wardrobe of the family, so that they mav 
 always appear neatly and properly clad in their public walks, 
 often biting her lips lest they may disclose their destitution 
 in this or that particular, and move some one to an un- 
 willing offering ; between him and ambition, to point him 
 to the vanity of worldly ^'ain, and to the heavenly reward 
 that waits for the faithful watchman ; between him and the 
 parish, to bear the sweet words of encouragement to his 
 sinking spirit, from lips that would, but dare not, say to liim, 
 "dear pastor, faint not — we are praying for you." Upon 
 her comes the care of home — which she would make alike 
 inviting to the learned and the unlearned, the grave and the 
 gay, the poor and the rich. To nothing is slie more alive 
 than to her husband's reputation, yet for nothing must she 
 seem less solicitous. Usually possessing a cultivated mind, 
 she finds all her sensibilities keen and touched by every 
 passing event. She knows that one unguarded word from 
 her lips may paralyze, if not destroy, her husband's influ- 
 ence. Not unfrequently the stir of a leaf in the parish to 
 her is startling. Not unfrequently she enters an early grave 
 because sympathy and care have consumed her. Among 
 this class of persons in our State, there has been many a 
 spirit kindred to that of Mrs. McFarland — a name which is 
 a tower of strength and of glory. Silent and unostentatious, 
 but, holding a mighty influence, in their sphere of action 
 they move nearest those angelic ones who are "sent forth to 
 minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation." They will 
 form a bright circle among the blest. 
 
 Were it possible to propound the inquiry to all the min- 
 isters whose names enter these pages — What has been the 
 most efficient aid and support of the ministry from the begin- 
 ning ? — ^with one voice and with tears, in memory of the early 
 fallen, they would say— The Pastor's Wife. 
 
INDEX OF COUNTIES. 
 
 Belknap, 
 
 Cakiioll, 
 
 Cheshire, 
 
 Coos, 
 
 Grafton, 
 
 incor. page. 
 
 1171 149—246 
 
 1840 477— 508 HiLLSBORo', 
 1840 582— 600 Merrimack, 1823 347—418 
 1771 247— 314! Rockingh'm, 1791 16—148 
 1803 601— 610 1 Strafford, 1791 315—346 
 1771 509—581 1 Sullivan, 1827 419-476 
 
 INDEX OF TOWNS AND PARISHES. 
 
 Acworth, 
 
 419 
 
 Canterbury, 
 
 360 
 
 East Kingston, 
 
 88 
 
 Albany, 
 
 600 
 
 Carroll, 
 
 610 
 
 Eaton, 
 
 600 
 
 Alexritidria, 
 
 509 
 
 Centre Harbor, 
 
 486 
 
 fjfPngham, 
 
 583 
 
 Alstead, 
 
 247 
 
 Charlestown, , 
 
 425 
 
 Ellsworth, 
 
 580 
 
 East, 
 
 250 
 
 Chatham, 
 
 600 
 
 Enfield, 
 
 531 
 
 Papermil! vill 
 
 . 253 
 
 Chester, 
 
 27 
 
 Epping, 
 
 45 
 
 Alton, 
 
 477 
 
 Chesterfield, 
 
 254 
 
 Epsom, 
 
 382 
 
 Amherst, 
 
 150 
 
 Chichester, 
 
 362 
 
 Errol, 
 
 610 
 
 Andover, 
 
 347 
 
 Claremont, 
 
 42S 
 
 Exeter, 1st chh. 
 
 47 
 
 Antrim, 
 
 149 
 
 Clarksville, 
 
 604 
 
 2d chh. 
 
 50 
 
 Atkinson, 
 
 16 
 
 Colebrook, 
 
 601 
 
 Farminglon, 
 
 331 
 
 Auburn, 
 
 i8 
 
 Columbia, 
 
 602 
 
 Fisherville, 
 
 385 
 
 Barnstead, 
 
 481 
 
 Concord, lstchh.365 
 
 Fitzwilliam, 
 
 260 
 
 Barrington, 
 
 315 
 
 West, 
 
 372 
 
 Francestown, 
 
 165 
 
 Bartlett, 
 
 600 
 
 South, 
 
 374 
 
 Franconia, 
 
 532 
 
 Bath, 
 
 509 
 
 East, 
 
 375 
 
 Franklin, 
 
 385 
 
 Bedford, 
 
 156 
 
 Conway, 
 
 582 
 
 Freedom, 
 
 600 
 
 Bennington, 
 
 160 
 
 Cornish, 
 
 435 
 
 Fremont, 
 
 63 
 
 Benton, 
 
 580 
 
 Croydon, 
 
 443 
 
 Gilford, 
 
 490 
 
 Berlin, 
 
 610 
 
 Dalion, 
 
 606 
 
 Gilmanton, 
 
 
 Bethlehem, 
 
 512 
 
 Dan bury 
 
 527 
 
 1st chh. 
 
 490 
 
 Boscawen, 
 
 348 
 
 Danville, 
 
 35 
 
 Center, 
 
 494 
 
 West, 
 
 355 
 
 Deerfield, 
 
 35 
 
 Iron Works 
 
 ,496 
 
 Bow, 
 
 357 
 
 Deering, 
 
 162 
 
 Gilsum, 
 
 263 
 
 Bradford, 
 
 357 
 
 Derry, 1st chh. 
 
 38 
 
 Goffstovvn, 
 
 170 
 
 Brentwood, 
 
 20 
 
 1st Cong. chh. 43 
 
 Goshen, 
 
 447 
 
 Bridgewater, 
 
 514 
 
 Dixville, 
 
 610 
 
 Gosport, 
 
 53 
 
 Bristol, 
 
 515 
 
 Dorchester, 
 
 529 
 
 Grafton, 
 
 580 
 
 Brook field, 
 
 600 
 
 Dover, 
 
 317 
 
 Grantham 
 
 449 
 
 Brookline, 
 
 160 
 
 Dublin, 
 
 255 
 
 Great Falls, 
 
 332 
 
 Campton, 
 
 517 
 
 Dummer, 
 
 610 
 
 Greenfield, 
 
 175 
 
 Canaan, 
 
 524 
 
 Dunbarton, 
 
 376 
 
 Evan. chh. 
 
 176 
 
 Candia, 
 
 23 
 
 Durham 
 
 326 
 
 1st Cong, chh 
 
 . 177 
 
INDEX OF TOWNS. 
 
 617 
 
 Greenland, 
 
 57 
 
 Lyme, 
 
 559 
 
 Orange, 
 
 581 
 
 Groton, 
 
 547 
 
 Lyndeborough, 
 
 192 
 
 Ossipee, 
 
 585 
 
 Hampstead, 
 
 01 
 
 Mad bury. 
 
 334 
 
 Pelham, 
 
 237 
 
 Hampton, 
 
 63 
 
 Madison, 
 
 600 
 
 Pembroke, 
 
 402 
 
 Hampton Falls, 
 
 75 1 
 
 Manchester, 
 
 
 Peterborough, 
 
 240 
 
 and Seabrook 
 
 134 
 
 1st Cong, chh 
 
 198 
 
 Piermont, 
 
 570 
 
 Hancock, 
 
 178 
 
 Franklin st. ch 
 
 .202 
 
 Pittsburgh, 
 
 610 
 
 Hanover, 
 
 533 
 
 Mission chh. 
 
 205 
 
 Pittsfield, 
 
 404 
 
 Hanover Centre, 
 
 539 
 
 Marlborough, 
 
 280 
 
 Plainfield, 
 
 470 
 
 Harrisville, 
 
 267 
 
 Marlow, 
 
 283 
 
 Plaistow, 
 
 115 
 
 Haverhill, 
 
 542 
 
 Mason, 
 
 20() 
 
 Plymouth, 
 
 571 
 
 Haverhill North 
 
 547 
 
 Village, 
 
 209 
 
 Poplin, [Fremont.] 
 
 Hebron, 
 
 547 
 
 Meredith village 
 
 501 
 
 Portsmouth 
 
 117 
 
 Henniker, 
 
 387 
 
 Meriden, 
 
 461 
 
 Randolph, 
 
 610 
 
 Hill, 
 
 549 
 
 Merrimack, 
 
 210 
 
 Raymond, 
 
 123 
 
 Hillsborough, 
 
 180 
 
 South, 
 
 211 
 
 Richmond, 
 
 284 
 
 Bridge 
 
 184 
 
 Middleton, 
 
 335 
 
 Rindge, 
 
 285 
 
 Centre 
 
 182 
 
 Milan, 
 
 610 
 
 Rochester, 
 
 3:38 
 
 Hinsdale, 
 
 270 
 
 Mil ford, 
 
 213 
 
 Rollim^ford, 
 
 344 
 
 Holderness, 
 
 5S0 
 
 Millsfield, 
 
 610 
 
 Roxbury, 
 
 289 
 
 Hollis, 
 
 185 
 
 Milton, 
 
 335 
 
 Rumney, 
 
 581 
 
 Hookselt, 
 
 391 
 
 Monadnock, 
 
 602 
 
 Rye, 
 
 127 
 
 Hopkinton, 
 
 391 
 
 Monroe, 
 
 581 
 
 Salem, 
 
 130 
 
 Hudson, 
 
 187 
 
 Mont Vernon, 
 
 215 
 
 Salisbury, 
 
 409 
 
 Jackson, 
 
 600 
 
 Moultonborough 
 
 584 
 
 Sanbornton, 
 
 507 
 
 Jaflrey, 
 
 272 
 
 Nashua, 
 
 
 Sanbornton Br. 
 
 
 East, 
 
 274 
 
 )st Cong, chh 
 
 222 
 
 and Northfield 
 
 401 
 
 Jefferson, 
 
 610 
 
 Olive St. chh. 
 
 225 
 
 Sandown, 
 
 132 
 
 Keene, 
 
 275 
 
 Pearl st. chh. 
 
 228 
 
 Sandwich, 
 
 587 
 
 Kensington, 
 
 81 
 
 Nelson, 
 
 283 
 
 North, 
 
 590 
 
 Kilkenny, 
 
 610 
 
 New Boston, 
 
 229 
 
 Seabrook, 
 
 133 
 
 Kingston, 
 
 82 
 
 Newbury, 
 
 400 
 
 Seabrook and 
 
 
 Laconia, 
 
 498 
 
 New Castle, 
 
 95 
 
 Hampton Falls 
 
 ,134 
 
 Lancaster, 
 
 607 
 
 New Durham, 
 
 338 
 
 Sharon, 
 
 242 
 
 Landaff, 
 
 581 
 
 New Hampton, 
 
 503 
 
 Shelburne, 
 
 (j08 
 
 Langdon, 
 
 449 
 
 Newington, 
 
 100 
 
 Somersworth, 
 
 345 
 
 Lebanon, 
 
 549 
 
 New Ipswich, 
 
 231 
 
 South Hampton, 
 
 135 
 
 Lebanon West, 
 
 578 
 
 2d Cong, chh 
 
 . 23(i 
 
 S. New Market, 
 
 13G 
 
 Lee, 
 
 334 
 
 New London, 
 
 400 
 
 Springfield, 
 
 473 
 
 Lernpster, 
 
 457 
 
 New Market, 
 
 100 
 
 Stark, 
 
 000 
 
 2d chh. 
 
 460 
 
 Newport, 
 
 466 
 
 Stewartstown, 
 
 608 
 
 Lincoln, 
 
 581 
 
 Newton, 
 
 105 
 
 Stoddard, 
 
 289 
 
 Lisbon, 
 
 581 
 
 Northfield and 
 
 
 StraObrd, 
 
 340 
 
 Litchfield, 
 
 190 
 
 Sanbornton Br 
 
 401 
 
 Stratford, 
 
 610 
 
 Littleton, 
 
 556 
 
 North Hampton, 
 
 106 
 
 Stratham, 
 
 138 
 
 Londonderry, 
 
 88 
 
 Northwood, 
 
 113 
 
 Success, 
 
 610 
 
 Loudon 1st chh. 
 
 393 
 
 Nottingham, 
 
 114 
 
 Sullivan, 
 
 290 
 
 2d chh. 
 
 399 
 
 Orford, 
 
 565 
 
 Sunapee, 
 
 473 
 
 Lyman, 
 
 581 
 
 4 
 
 West, 
 
 to 
 
 569 
 
 Surry, 
 
 293 
 
618 
 
 INDEX OF CLEEGYMEN. 
 
 Swanzey, 
 
 293 
 
 Warner, 
 
 414 
 
 Whitefield, 
 
 610 
 
 Tamworth, 
 
 591 
 
 Warren, 
 
 581 
 
 VVilmot, 
 
 417 
 
 Temple, 
 
 242 
 
 Washington, 
 
 474 
 
 Wilton, 
 
 244 
 
 Thornton, 
 
 573 
 
 Waterville, 
 
 581 
 
 Winchester, 
 
 306 
 
 Troy, 
 
 297 
 
 Weare, 
 
 244 
 
 Windham, 
 
 144 
 
 Tuftonborough, 
 
 595 
 
 Wentworth, 
 
 678 
 
 Woodstock, 
 
 1 
 
 Unity, 
 
 474 
 
 West Lebanon, 
 
 578 
 
 Wolfborough, 
 
 [597 
 
 Wakefield, 
 
 596 
 
 Westmoreland, 
 
 301 
 
 North, 
 
 599 
 
 Walpole, 
 
 299 
 
 South, 
 
 305 
 
 
 
 INDEX OF THE NAMES OF CLERGYMEN. 
 
 Abbnll A. 240 585, E. F. 609 
 
 30 200 337 398, E. 00 372, J. 
 
 31 80, S. T. 134 
 
 Adams D 221 2-19 253, E. 266 
 
 289 293, E. E. 228 372 375, 
 
 G. W. 275, H. 327, John 
 
 327, .7, R. 90 333, Jos. 100 
 
 140, N.49, W. B. 473, Z. 
 
 152 
 
 Aiken J. ISO, S. 154 168 305 
 
 Ainswonh L. 100 273 279 -.98 
 
 493 
 
 Alexander 309 
 
 Alden h. 99 
 
 Allen 532, B. R. 192, C. W. 
 
 238, E. 597, J. 273, S.T. 190 
 
 211, W. 57 
 
 Alline II. 108 
 
 Alvord A. 291 302 
 
 Ames C. G. 326 
 
 AngierM. B. 385 393 
 
 Ann.in D. IS 240, R. 90 166 
 
 Applclon J. 59 73 
 
 Apthorp 585 
 
 Archibald T. 419 
 
 Armes J. L. 209 
 
 Arms S. R. 456 
 
 Arrasby L. 35 
 
 Arnold 312 399, J. R. 34 313, 
 
 S. 474 515 531 586, S.S. 248 
 
 251 254 265 299 461 
 
 Ash G. W. 303 
 
 AshbyJ.L. 137 
 
 Ashley J. 307 
 
 Atwaler E, E. 344 
 
 Ayer O. 106 435 
 
 Aycrs J. 398 
 
 Babcock D. II. 132 268 
 
 Bachilcr S. 63 
 
 Bacon J. 276 
 
 Badcock J. 347 
 
 Bailey A. 130, B. i\r. 182, J. 
 
 77, y. 61 125 
 
 Balch 130, B. 315, W. 160 131 
 
 Ballard J. 236 254 266 284 
 
 Barber 431 
 
 Barbour I. R. 235, N. 451 4.56 
 
 599 
 
 Barker N. .196 
 
 Barnard 23 130, Jere. 31216 
 
 152 429, John 386, S. A. 246, 
 
 T 77 
 
 Barnes J. 103 181 429 
 
 Barrows H. 323 
 
 Barstow E. H. 300, Z. S. 258 
 
 278 279 298 
 
 Barllelt S. C. 203 
 
 Bales J. 11. 150, L. 223 
 
 Bayley K. 576 
 
 Beaeh T. P. 521 598 
 
 Beane S. 333 
 
 Beekley 254 
 
 Beckiviih B. B. 3110 
 
 Beecher L. 333 
 
 Beede T. 245 
 
 Belcher S. 54. 
 
 Belknap J. 322 400 491 
 
 Bell B. 441 
 
 Bellamy 492 
 
 Benedict 328 
 
 BenncltS. 281312 352 
 
 Benson A. 489 
 
 Berry N. 338 
 
 Bitrciow A. 341 179 
 
 Billinffs 307 
 
 Bird S. 222 
 
 Birkby 540 
 
 Blake J. 594 598, R. .571 
 
 Blanchard 192, A. lOS 416 
 463, E. H. 385, S. I\T. 304 
 ■ Bliss L. 3.58, E 510 
 
 Blod^elt 50, C. 102 
 
 Blunt J. 96 
 
 BIydcnburgh J. 15J 
 
 Bodwell A, 380 493 495 498 
 607 
 Boulelle T. .5IJ9 
 
 Bouton N. 49 259 369 
 
 Boutwell J. 22 
 
 Bowles C. 515 
 
 Boytcr C. 391424 473 
 
 Bradford 191 292, C. P. 20], 
 D, B.494, E. 170, E.P.229, 
 M. 160 218 170 003, S. 170 
 Bradslreet N. 30 
 
 Brainerd 192, D, S. 424, E. 
 430, T. G. 90 
 Braman M. P. 49 
 
 Bridge E. 152 
 
 Bridgeman I. 542 
 
 Brigliam 273, B. 200 
 
 Brock J. 54 
 
 Brooks E. S. 320 
 
 Brown 23 292, Clias. 474, 
 C. M. 457, C.295, D. 180, 
 G. S. 271293, Jona. 41, Jo- 
 seph 52, Josiah 190, A. P. 
 520 
 Bruce J. 152 217 
 
 Bryant J. C. 2i!l 
 
 Biiekman 276 
 
 Buckminster J. 52 109 121 
 
 Buffit 
 
 594 
 
 Bullard E.W. 
 
 209 
 
 Biirbank C. 
 
 383 
 
 Burbanks J. 
 
 235 
 
 Burehard 
 
 433 
 
 Burdelt G. 
 
 318 
 
 Burge B. 170 ,531, C, 279 476, 
 
 C. B. 606, D. 336 472 602 
 
 Burgess A. 179 
 
 Biirnap J. 211, U. C. 201 
 
 Burnham A. 125 201 403 412 
 
 493, A. W. 286 
 
 Burroughs E. 504 524 
 
 Burt D. 125 008, E. 164 513, 
 
 F. 329 
 
 Barton A. 338 5.33 
 
 Buss J. 326 
 
 Buxton E. 350 
 
 Buzzell A. 485, H. 480 
 
 Calkins C. 525 
 
 Campbell A. 243, D. 570 
 
 Carpenter A. 471, B, 277 295, 
 
 J. 113 363 492 493 494, A. 
 
 532 
 
 Case I. 435 570, J. L. 87, R. 
 
 579 
 
 Caswell E. H. 413 
 
 Chamberlain C. 103 
 
 Chandler J. 296 
 
 Chaptn 514, II. 435, S. 181 
 
 183 218 
 
 Chapman B. 440, C. 46, E. 
 
 335 596, J. 238 
 
 Chase 348 580, B , 192, C. 435, 
 
 E. 265 302, S. 97 151 
 
 CheeverE. 219,8.504 
 
 Child E. 104, R. 497 
 
 Choate, B. a3 
 
 Church J,H. 31 154 238. S.517 
 
 Claggelt E. B. ' 197 
 
 Clapp 292 
 
 Clark .588, A. .353, H. S. 203, 
 
 John 47 417, M. 30, R. W. 
 
 122, S. W. 180, S. S. 292, 
 
 T. 175, Walter 203, Wm. 
 
 372 570 
 
 Clary J. W. 323 442 
 
 Claycs D. 462 
 
 Clayford J. 244 
 
 Clement J. 34 305 
 
 Cleveland 525 .598, E. 182 343 
 
 463, J. P. 75, Ebr. 509 
 
 CobiirnJ. 542 
 
 Coriman 530 
 
 Coe C. 113 142 328 SJO 538 
 
 592 
 
INDEX OF CLEEGYMEN. 
 
 619 
 
 Coffin E. 366, P. 84 88 
 
 Coggin 216 
 
 Cogswell 588. E. C. 104 11:3, 
 W. 494 497 
 Colbum L. 212 
 
 Colby J. 75 326, Z. 18 402 
 Coleman 16U 'JSlfi 457 
 
 Collins 597, S. 132 610 
 
 Colton 180 358. A. 290, C. 21 
 Conanl 493, E.'3U9, L.401 520 
 Coiidit 36 
 
 Connovan 324 
 
 Cooke 472, P. 257 279 312 420 
 493 .1.55 
 Cook J. B. 585 
 
 Cordlev 393 
 
 Corser'E. 46 395 401493 
 
 Cotton 292, John 70 132, Jo- 
 siah 132, Samuel 16ti 190, 
 Seaborn 67, W. 70 
 Cram 588, J. 392 405 
 
 Creasey N. 142 
 
 Cressy 124 
 
 Crosby 279, J. 195, Jaazan- 
 iah 425, Josiah D. 274 298 
 Cross 493, A 412, J. M. 385 
 Crosselt R. 249 403 
 
 Cummings H. 467, Jacob 17 
 142 184, Joseph 280 
 Carrier J. 170 
 
 Curtice C. 401 
 
 Curtis E. 281, Jona. 383 408 
 498, Jos. 426 
 Gushing 75, Ja s 115, Jon..321 
 Cushman J. 292 515 
 
 Cutler Calvin 146 554, Cur- 
 tis 240, M. 565, R. 45 
 Cutter A. H. 640 
 
 Dalton T. 64 
 
 Dame C. 22 325 
 
 Dana D. 72 90, S. 5.33 56li 509 
 Danforth F. 176 313 
 
 Darling D. 293, S. D. 424 
 Davenport J. R. 168 
 
 Davidson W. 40 89 . 
 
 Davis 301, F. 481, I. 571 .578, ! 
 J. G. 155 230, Jas. 18, Joel ' 
 443 529, S. 5117 
 Day P. B. 4i 186 202, W. 
 519 
 Dean S. 286 
 
 Delano S. 545 
 
 Deming 17 
 
 Dennis J. 425 
 
 Dexter H. JM. 202. S. D. 52 
 Dickinson D. 462, P. 279 300 
 112 
 585, J. 595 
 337 599 
 . 115 372 398. 
 M. 81 
 555 
 99 
 47 
 240 
 182 385 
 464 
 105 
 
 Dinsmore J. 
 Dodge 
 Doldt J. 
 Dow D. 411, 
 
 Downs C. A. 
 Drown S. 
 Dudley S. 
 Dunbar E. 
 Durgin C. C. 
 Dwight T. 
 Earaes J. 
 Eastman 56, H. E. 161, J.W 
 589 
 Eaton 292, J. M. R. 389 
 
 Eekley J. 367 
 
 Edwards 535, J. 279 370 495, 
 T. 423 
 ElaB. 212 I 
 
 Eldredge E. D. 74 413 l 
 
 Eliot A. 71, J. 409 
 
 Ellis M 434, J. i\I. 540 
 
 Ely W. 312 
 
 Emerson 273 532, D. I.j2 170 
 
 185 193, John 96 284, Jos. 
 193, N. 177 
 Emery E. J. 198, J. 402, S. 
 114 
 Emmons N. 181 219 434 442 
 517 551 
 Erwin 298 
 
 Estiibrook 573 
 
 Estabrooks 160, E. 461 
 
 Esty 516 .532 
 
 Evans E. 504 5:11, I. 367 
 
 Everett 274, E. 170 
 
 Ewers N. 136 
 
 Fairbanks 519 558 
 
 Fairchild J. II. 49 
 
 Fargo G. 434 
 
 Farley S. 17 430 
 
 Farnswonh J D. 298 567, 
 S. H. 125 182 434 
 Farnum L. 372 
 
 Farrar J. 255, S. 232 
 
 Farrington 301 
 
 Farwell J. E. 313 5113 
 
 Fay S. P. 74 
 
 Fessendcn 247 278 300 449 
 Field 487 588. L. 448 
 
 Fifield W. 138 375 384 
 
 Fiimey 399 
 
 Fish E. 264, H. 279 297 
 
 Fisher 429, E. 457. J. 104, 
 J. L. 188 
 Fisk A. 245, .Toel 370, Jonas 
 131, N. W. 498 
 Fitch Jabez 54, John 121 
 
 Flagg E. 28 
 
 Fleming A. 645 
 
 Fletcher 326, E, 392 
 
 Flint E. 21 
 
 Fobes W. A. 36 391 
 
 Fogg J. 48 91 
 
 Follct W. 210 243 
 
 Folsom N. S. 108 
 
 Forsytlie 606 
 
 Forward 311 
 
 Foster 309, A. 360 491 525 531 
 
 668, B. F. 198 413, D. 4 J5, 
 
 Eden 8.239 389 541, Ed- 
 mund 152, J. 283 
 Fowie b"!' 
 
 Fowler B. 177, O. 611 
 
 Freeman H. 375 
 
 French D. L. 189, D. 264, 
 
 H. S. G. 198 372, James R. 
 241, Jona. 105 108 142 
 Fuller 192, B. .571, E. C. 525, 
 R. .599 :;U2 300 410 423 486 
 Fullerlon W. 149 
 
 Furber 590 
 
 Gale W. 105, W. P. 281 577 
 Garland D. 185, J. 516 
 
 Gates 0. H. 115 
 
 Gay B. 270, J. S. i-'M 
 
 Gaylord 580 
 
 George E. 481 493 
 
 Gerould I\I. S5I 271 520 
 
 Gibhs 545 
 
 Gillett 124 103 
 
 Gilman 124, N. 327, T. 23 
 Gilmore G. 201 
 
 GlinesJ. .338 372 
 
 Goddard 472 532, E. 277 295, 
 W. ;illl 604 
 Goldsmith A. 300 333 
 
 Gooch J. 477 480 
 
 Goodale 530, D. 273 
 
 Goodell W. 99 
 
 Goodall 557 
 
 Goodliue ISO 359 529 
 
 Goodridgc S. 194 
 
 Goodwin D. 162 
 
 Goodyear G. 244 
 
 Gookin N. 69 76, N. jr. 106 
 Gordon M. D. 186 
 
 Goss S. 435 
 
 Gould W. 473 
 
 Govan A. 87 607 
 
 Gray R. 322 
 
 Greeley E. II. 435 545, S.S.N. 
 103 497 
 Green 512, S. 154 
 
 GreenleafW. C. 391 
 
 Greenough "W. 142 
 
 Greenw.rad T. 277 
 
 Griswold J. F. 476 
 
 Grosvenor M. G. 282 422 
 Gunnison J. 23 
 
 Halo B. E. 255, J. L. 520 603, 
 M. 28 
 Hall 56, A. 247 273 467, J. 598 
 11.235, S. R. 447, T.513 
 Hardy N. K. .558 
 
 Harlow W. 19 
 
 Harris S. 146 242 259, W. 31 
 218 369 372 370 381 392 551 
 
 Harrington 
 
 209, T. 291 
 
 Hartwell 
 
 449 
 
 Haskell H. M 
 
 325 
 
 Hastings J. S 
 
 107 
 
 Hatch R. C. 
 
 393 
 
 Haven 429, Jacob 444 , Joseph 
 
 
 336 34 1 
 
 Hayes A. 
 
 200, A. A. 90 
 
 Hayncs L. 
 
 471 
 
 Hayward W. 
 
 II. 131 
 
 Hawcs J. T. 
 
 332 
 
 Haw ley 
 
 400 
 
 Hazellinc E. 
 
 113 382 
 
 llazcn 
 
 17 
 
 Hebard 
 
 487, S. 504 
 
 Henchman N 
 
 150 
 
 Herbert C. D 
 
 220 
 
 Herrick H. 263 372, W. T. 2:3 
 
 Hewes F. A. 
 
 435 
 
 Hibbnrd 
 
 278, A. 428 
 
 Hidden 387. E 
 
 N. 36 214 398, 
 
 S. 
 
 502 586 5i<9 591 
 
 Hill E. 162 208 242, J. B. SC8, 
 
 
 604, S. 341 
 
 HiUiard J. 
 
 332 
 
 Hitchcock R.D. 50, W.D. 50 
 
 Ilobart J. 98 103 114 417 494 
 
 528 531 548 562 580 600 
 
 Hobhs J. 
 
 237 
 
 Hodgman 
 
 568 
 
 Holman 
 
 298 
 
 Holmes 0. 
 
 113 590 
 
 Holt 124 212 509, E. 00 122 
 
 138, J.101,P 
 
 46164 241,T.86 
 
 Homer 
 
 124 142 
 
 Hood J. A. 
 
 408 
 
 Hooper W. 
 
 335 
 
 Horton W. 
 
 324 
 
 Hough G. W. 
 
 372 
 
 Houston J. 
 
 1.56 180 
 
 Hovey J. 
 
 473 519 571 
 
 Howard 529, J.T. 489, J. 221, 
 L..324, N. 347 417 
 Howe 312 432, G. .533, N. 
 166, P. 293 
 Howel S. N. 192 
 
 Howland 11. O. 183 416 
 
 Hubbard 586 
 
 Hull E. 134, J. .54 
 
 Humphrey J. P. 314 
 
620 
 
 INDEX OF CLERGYMEN. 
 
 Hantonn B. 
 
 
 413 
 
 Hurd I, 
 
 
 49 52 
 
 Hurlben M. 
 
 L. 
 
 3sa 
 
 Hurl but 
 
 
 5S5 
 
 Hurliu 
 
 
 480 
 
 Hutchins S. 
 
 
 334 
 
 Hulcliiuson 265 309 473 513 
 Hyde S. 334 
 
 Jackson A. 300 
 
 Jameson 586 
 
 Janes J. L. 461 
 
 Jefferds F. 4B 
 
 Jenkins A. 261 
 
 Jennings W. 523 
 
 Jennison 220 254 300 303 45B 
 Jewell StS 
 
 Jeweu 90,588, D.23,G,B 824, 
 
 H. C.38I,L.34 243, \V. R. 
 
 572 
 
 Johnson W. ]44 
 
 Jones li'2, A. D. 246, E. 
 
 176 424, H. 434, I. 23, J.W. 
 
 404, J. L. 452, T.i\.309 58S 
 Keep J. 238 
 
 KcllvJ. 62, W. 414 
 
 Kellocrs; 17, D. 444 446, 
 'E.M. 210 231 
 Kemp G. S. 254 260 
 
 Kendall 292, H. A. 221 259 
 375. Horace 467 
 Kennedy N. 82 190 
 
 Kent A, 359, C. H. 316 
 
 Kidder J, 22-2 
 
 Kilburn J. 300 
 
 Ki.-nball D. 372 540, I. 197, J. 
 
 419, L. P. 214, M. 372 393 
 413, R. 347 417 
 K,n£;sbury C. 476, N. 219, S. 
 347 676 
 Kinkcad J. 144 
 
 Kirk E. N. 2ii3 
 
 Kittredge C. B. 221, S.221 
 Kneelaud A. 449 
 
 Knight I. 387 505 519 
 
 Knollys H. 318 
 
 Knowllon D. 4b5 
 
 Lamb H. J. 241 
 
 Lambert T. R. 324 561 
 
 Lamson S. 224 
 
 Lancaster D. 493 495 
 
 Lane J. 331 386 502 
 
 Langdon 49, G. 265, S. 58 79 
 99 lai 256 265 
 Langley 358 531 
 
 Lanicton Levi 250, Lewis 
 113 
 Larkbam T. 319 
 
 Lawrence 292, J. 1.32 2.53 391, 
 M. 308, R. F. 434 454 
 Lawton J. 181 
 
 Lazell 449 
 
 Leacb G. .503 589 
 
 Leavitt D. 140, Jnna. 3011 424 
 LeBusquet J. 46 J 14 17; 372 
 398 530 549 
 Lee S. 210 236 
 
 Leonard L. 258 
 
 Leslie G. 474 
 
 Leveridge W. 318 
 
 Little E. G. 2il 
 
 Liverraore A. A. 280, J. 244 
 Lock 212, S. 255 
 
 Long D, 164, J. A. E. 82 
 
 Longley J. 452 
 
 Loomi.s J. N. 472 
 
 Lord C. E. 138, J. 476, N. 153 
 168 203 W. 587 
 Low " 589 
 
 Lowell J, 77 
 
 Lucas 401 549 
 
 Lyman 330, G. 274 282 
 
 McBride 40 
 
 McClenningD. 242 
 
 McClintock S. 48 57 58 73 82 
 156 491 
 McClure D. 107 
 
 McCollom J. T. 333 
 
 iVIcDowell 201 
 
 iVIcEwenJ. F. 129 434 
 
 IWcFarland A. 368 491 
 
 McGeeJ. 168 176 181223 
 
 McGregore D. 89 156 585, J. 
 38 58 
 McKeen J. 73 519 
 
 IVIain A. 340 
 
 Maltby 535 
 
 Mann A. D. .53. C. 400, J, 247 
 Manning A. 19 172 383 407 
 448 474 567 
 iMan.sfield I. 48 
 
 IMansnn A. 161) 
 
 Marble 255 
 
 Mar.'h D. 224, E. 76 
 
 iMarshJ. 271 511 568 610 
 
 Martin R. 490 
 
 IVIason 56, S. 87 461 
 
 Mather C. 47 
 
 MaudD. 319 
 
 Mead S. 248 449 
 
 Mellish J. H. 87 
 
 Merrill D.I63, E. 598, G. 115 
 
 no, I. 190, J H.403 595, J. 
 
 422 446, N. 128 187 349 195, 
 
 S. H. 316 488, T. A. 165 
 
 Merwiii 2J2 
 
 Meteall" 142 
 
 Miles N. 243 
 
 .Wilier .566 569 
 
 Mills 301, S.J. 451 
 
 Miltiraore 49 192, J. 141 
 
 212 
 
 iWitehcl D. 402 
 
 .Moody A. 237, H 361, John 
 
 136, Josh. 54 95 118 54, 
 
 S. 54 
 
 Moore 124, H. 212 391, 
 
 H. D. 122, Humph. 154 177 
 213 
 Mason 334, S. 163 229 
 
 Morgan T. 331.375 
 
 Morrell J. 485 
 
 Morrill D.L. 171, R, 348 
 Morrison 318, J, 240, W. 
 90 149 1.58 190 
 Morse 358, J. 609, S. 211 298 
 Moulton 358 
 
 Murdock W. 23 27 
 
 Murry 309 
 
 MuzzeyC.F. 260, W. 290 
 Myrick 361 
 
 Nason 325 
 
 Neal 59 
 
 Newell G. '283, I. 555, D. 569 
 Newhall 255, E. 192, C. 542 
 Newman 142 
 
 Nichols S. 316 596, W. 399 
 Nickerson 591 
 
 .Nicols 511 
 
 Noble 19S 565, O. 97 
 
 Norris 98 
 
 Norton 291 
 
 iMorwuod 495 498 
 
 Nott 154 223 
 
 Noyes 48, 586 D.J.374, N.135 
 Nye 431 
 
 Ober 254 
 
 Odiin 48 75, W. 48 50 
 
 Olcolt 278 419 425 .550 
 
 Oliphant 116 279 
 
 Olmsted 210 
 
 Ordway J. 399, M. 448, N. 
 
 124 335, S, 19 
 
 Osgood 305 
 
 Otis 129 
 
 Page 192 480 514 .531, A. C. 
 
 ■ 252, C. 163 476, J. 35, J. C. 
 
 125 494 495, R. 182 330 358 
 
 457 533, T. 504 548, VV. 132 
 
 189 
 
 Paige C. 289 405, R. 179 
 
 Paine 432 
 
 Parker C. 19 331, E. L. 42 
 
 191201, F. 361, H. E. 374, 
 
 N, 260 
 
 Parrish 188 
 
 Parsons 17 130 156, E. 428, 
 
 B, F. 323, E. G. 44, J. 491, 
 
 S. 128, W. 135 490 
 
 Partridge 183 
 
 Patrick 361 493 495 
 
 Patten 255, W, A. 36 372 
 
 Fayson A. M, 325, S. 247 286 
 
 310 421 
 
 Peabody 298 399, A. P. 56 98, 
 
 J. 291 461, S. 16 
 
 Peacock 
 
 
 
 143 
 
 Peak 
 
 
 124, J. 105 
 
 Pearley 
 
 
 
 358 
 
 Pearson 
 
 
 
 87 
 
 Peckham 
 
 
 
 116 
 
 Perkins 165 
 
 163 
 
 221 
 
 252 391 
 416 505 
 
 Pcrlcy 
 
 
 
 133 547 
 
 Perry B. 563 
 
 C 
 
 302, 
 
 D. 186 
 
 
 S48, G 
 
 B.2I1 
 
 Peters 
 
 
 
 65 
 
 Phelps 
 
 
 
 308 
 
 Phillips 
 
 
 
 28 366 
 
 Pickering 
 
 
 
 59 
 
 Pidgin 
 
 
 
 72 
 
 Pierce 
 
 
 
 17 
 
 Pike F. V. 343, 
 
 James 345, 
 
 
 
 John 68 321 
 
 Pillsbury E. 
 
 
 191 
 
 P. 398 
 
 Pine 
 
 
 
 241 
 
 Pinklam 
 
 
 
 480 
 
 Piper 
 
 
 
 592 596 
 
 Pitman 
 
 
 
 298 
 
 Pittman 
 
 
 
 172 
 
 Plumer 
 
 
 
 98 
 
 Pomeroy 
 
 
 268 
 
 270 298 
 
 Pond 
 
 
 
 138 
 
 Porter330, E.3n9, H. 128, M 
 
 471, N. 338 592, R. 332 502, 
 
 W. H. 192 
 
 Potter 1. 438 533, fj. 461, L. 
 
 443, W. A. 604 
 
 Powers 437. D. 446, G. 5-14, 
 
 J. VV. 447' P. 232 542, U. 
 
 447, W. 105 
 
 Pratt 279 301 
 
 Prentice J. 24 113 493, N. 222 
 
 Price 355 386 
 
 Prince 23 315 
 
 Punchard 572 
 
 Putnam A. 447, 1.W. 100 122, 
 
 J . W. 447, J. M. 379 383, 
 
 R. A. 363 384 
 
 Quint A. H. 326 
 
 Ralle 54 
 
 Rand 276, A. 493, J. 193 
 
 Randall 292, B.99 338 478 485 
 
 Rankin 515, A. 413 576 603 
 
 609 
 
IKDEX OF CLERGYMEN. 
 
 621 
 
 Ransom IGO 
 
 Rawsoii 289 
 
 Read a73 
 
 Reed 124 309, A. 208, A. H. 
 
 125 
 Remcle 467 
 
 Reiniii?ton 23 
 
 Reyiar J. 320, J. jr. 320 32.i 
 Rice 3.>7 
 
 Rich 297 -101 -ISO 
 
 5^0 
 
 Richards A. 154 168 225, H. 
 
 44S, J, DeF. 42C, J.5711, .la, 
 
 164, John 305 533 
 
 Richardson C. A. 6n4, C. W. 
 
 417 532, E. H. 174, H. 6li9, 
 
 W. 197, Wm. 164 240, D.F. 
 
 542 
 Richmond lii3 
 
 RigSs 3112 
 
 Ripley 534 
 
 Robie 61 
 
 Robinson 399, D. 97, 1.177 
 290 476, J. 10 258 
 Rockwell 239 
 
 Rock\\"ood 296 
 
 Rogers D. 50, J. 50, L. .521, 
 N. 75 120, Sam. 4J8 451, 
 Stephen 303 359 461 
 Rol fe 353 525 f)48 
 
 Rollhis 407 
 
 Rood 484 495 521,590 
 
 Root 323 
 
 Rowe 182 
 
 Rowell 442 435 
 
 Rowland 49 
 
 Russell C. 360 44?, C. P. 23, 
 J. T. 372 
 Rust 139 
 
 Sabin 261 297 
 
 Safn.rd 476, C. G. 497 
 
 Salter J. W. 214, T. G. 324 
 Sanford 101 
 
 Sargent 130 399, B. 19 3.=.7 
 406, N. 461, R. M. 331 495 
 Saunders 5115 
 
 Savage T. 155 158 201, W.T. 
 155 387 
 Sawin 2ii5 
 
 Sawyer B. 135, D. 313 457 
 549, J. 542 556 569, M. 388 
 Saxlon 539 
 
 Scales Jacob 389 472, James 
 360 372 392 
 Scovcll 4M7 
 
 Scribiier 188 
 
 Seabury 580 
 
 Seasrave 344 
 
 Seamans 401 
 
 Searle 589, J. 23 206 410,M.C. 
 545, R. T. 389 
 Seccombe 85 
 
 Sever 321 
 
 Sewall E. Q. 154. J. 498 .568, 
 H. 498 588, S. 56 
 Seymore 502 
 
 Seymour 205 
 
 Shaw 552, J. 55 486 487.503, 
 N. 82 
 Shearer 191 
 
 Shearman 322 
 
 Shedd 242 523 
 
 Sheldon 125 
 
 Shepard 212 
 
 Shepherd 384 
 
 Short 441 462 
 
 ShurtlefTR. 43 533, W. 96 
 Shutllesworth 429 
 
 Sleigh 164 
 
 Smalley 283.551 
 
 Smith 592, A. 353, B. 82 129 
 2-0 25J 3.^9, D. 50.', D. P. 
 176, Eli 186 212 218 399, 
 Elias 59 60, Elihu 254, 
 Ethan 392 544, F. P. 494, 
 H. 3J9 435, I. I 13 3e3 47ii 
 482 491, J. A. 333, John 49 
 87 131 368 544, M. H.224, 
 O. 56, P. 407 589, W. A. 
 
 Southwortll 433 
 
 Spaulding4f9, A.4J2 298, G 
 343, J. 480, S. J. 344 
 Sperry 222 
 
 Spoll'ord 17 21 493 493, L. A. 
 606 
 
 Spraguc 
 
 256 260 278 
 
 Stanford 
 
 3.58 
 
 Slaniford 
 
 361 519 
 
 Stearns 
 
 22 45 123 491 
 
 Steele 
 
 143 
 
 Stephens 
 
 55 
 
 Stevens 27 
 
 3, J. 447, P. 348 
 
 Stickney 
 
 124 
 
 Stiles 
 
 121 
 
 Stoddard 
 
 476 
 
 Stone 124 198 
 
 292, B. P. 386 
 
 
 52!l, C.28I 
 
 Slow B. 
 
 447, J. M. 300 
 
 Slowed 
 
 172 
 
 Stratton 
 
 493 
 
 Strong 
 
 642, E. 271 
 
 Sluarl 
 
 86 
 
 1 Sullivan L. 
 
 568, T. R. 280 
 
 Sumner 
 
 56, C. 277 
 
 Sutherland 
 
 134 510 581 (ill 
 
 Swain 
 
 228 
 
 Swan 13. L. 
 
 344, J. 222 
 
 Sweet 
 
 298 
 
 Swift 
 
 446 461 
 
 Taft 
 
 449 
 
 Talbot 
 
 189 
 
 Tappan 109, A. 85, D.D.33 
 
 386, J. 429 
 
 Tarlton J W. 391. J. 113 
 
 Taylor 312 .588,C.4.'.6.Eli 502, 
 
 E. W. 445, L. 169 
 
 Temple 536 
 
 Tennent 11.5 
 
 Tenney A. P. 548, C. 116, D. 
 
 316, E. 5C4, L.'274, S. G. 
 
 182 250 372 
 
 Tcwksbury 105 
 
 Thatcher 49, O. G. 359 604 
 
 Thayer 279, Eben. 71, Elihu 
 
 45 85 448, L. 147, N. 72 
 
 Thomas 432 
 
 Thompson 188, G. W. 87, J. 
 
 314 576, T. 40, W. 83 
 
 Thornton 333 
 
 Thurston 124, B. 108 382, J. 
 
 81 585, James 136, P. 345 
 
 Tinker 
 
 Tisdale 
 
 Tobey 
 
 Tolman 
 
 Tomb 
 
 Toppan 366 
 
 Towne 540 
 
 Townsend 299 
 
 Tracy 309, C. B. 353 
 
 Trask 20 
 
 Tread way 217 
 
 True E. 480, H. 61 156 170 
 TuckeJ. 28 54, J. jr. 382 
 
 Tucker E W. 137, J. 394 
 
 102 
 
 259 265 
 
 330 
 
 17 '82 212 289 4.57 
 
 136 
 
 Tufls 190 
 
 Turner 437 509 538, I. 498, J. 
 86 
 Tuttle 192, W. G.268 
 
 Twining 333 
 
 Tyler 98 
 
 Upham T. C. 342, T. 36 491 
 Utley 46 
 
 Veazey 327 
 
 Wadsworlh 100 
 
 H'aitt 448 461 
 
 Walcolt 309 
 
 Waldo 604 
 
 Waldron 325 
 
 Wales 550 
 
 Walker C. 23.-, 305, Jas. 331 
 336, John 176 35-1, T. 366 
 491, T. jr. 386 360 372 
 Wallace 198 2(i2 398 
 
 Walton 99 
 
 Ward 313, J. 99 134 510 573, 
 Jona.21 115 515, M. 182, N. 
 .571 
 Wardlaw 510 
 
 Warner A. 484 499, A. B. 311 
 424 
 Warren 161 487, E. 501, J. 
 375 
 Wason 577 
 
 Waterman 357 
 
 Waters 171 
 
 Watson 348 
 
 Watts 257 359 
 
 Webber 133 
 
 Web.ster 48 134, J. 71, S. 343 
 Wedgewood 338 
 
 Weed 480 
 
 Welch F. 23, M. 116 
 
 Weld 22J 
 
 Wellman 517, J. W. 43, Jas. 
 43i: 443 .'.50, Jubilee 416 
 Wells M. H. 4118, N. 36 493, 
 S. 248, T. 212 316 
 Wesson 476 
 
 Weston 221 
 
 Wheaton 419428 
 
 Wheeler A. 23 125 502, H. 
 358, J. 569 
 Wheeloek E. 428 524 537 538, 
 J. R. 467 007, S. M. 407, 
 S. W. 142 
 Wheelwright 47 60 
 
 Whipple 477 509, E. 480 527, 
 J. 76 
 Whilcomb 282 
 
 White 474, B. 312 430 4.57 476 
 540, H. 182 265 399, J. 196, 
 L. 46, 435, W. O 280 
 Whitefield 13 41 50 52 77 99 
 140 517 
 Whiting C. 209 246, L. 122 
 Whitney 293 
 
 Whiton J. M. 149 1.56 158 160 
 229 231 243, O. C. 208 298 
 302 
 Whittemore 143, A. 402 
 
 Wilbur 86 
 
 Wilder 436 
 
 Wilkins S09, D 1.50 166 193 
 Willard 003 607 
 
 Willey B. G. 331 336, C. 87 
 364 400, S. H. .534, I. 173 
 342 524 588, W. 524 585 
 Williams 124 5156, R. 588, Si- 
 mon 144 500, Stephen 126 
 261 448, W. 49 
 Wilson J. 13 29, M. 170, N, 
 485 
 
622 
 
 INDEX OF OTHER PERSONS. 
 
 Wines 44R 4fi7 
 
 Wingale 308, P. 78 
 
 Wiiigct 13(1 
 
 Wiiisliiw H. 323, S.E. 297 
 Winter 417 515 528 587 595 
 Wiswell 313, I,, ar"! 
 
 Wood 81 191, A. 254 279, B. 
 358 551, H. 172 372 339 526 
 
 533 545 587, J. 452, S. 349 
 365 386 461 467 520 551 
 
 IVoodbridge 
 
 279 
 
 Voodbur>' 
 
 1711 
 
 Voodman 
 
 491 507 
 
 SVoods 
 
 261 415 467 
 
 Voodward 
 
 528, N. 473 
 
 Vooly 
 
 292 
 
 Wooster 600 
 
 Wortesler J. 524, N. 574, S. 
 
 585, T. 386 4ifl 628 
 
 Wright D. 434, E. S. 423, J. 
 
 291, R. N.541, W. 427 
 
 Yountr 318, J.K. 325 499, J.S. 
 
 323 
 
 NAMES NOT IN THE PRECEDING INDEX. 
 
 Ahbolt, GO, 81, 359, 508 ; Adams, 327, 495, 
 Pruf. 537, 549 ; Aiken, 73, 149 ; Anher, 279 ; 
 Appletdii, 73, 259, 270; Atherton, 154 ; At- 
 kinson, 362; Austin, 355. 
 
 Bacheldcr, 37, 394; Badger, 404; Bailey, 
 273; Baker, 279; Baldwin, 199, 228, 229; 
 Barbour, 344; Barnes, 191; Barter, 96; 
 Bartlett. 105, 143 ; Bean, 12:3, 125; Beekus, 
 460; Bekling,294; Bellows, 299 ; Bennet, 
 547; Berry, 127; Bixby, 191; Blake, 125, 
 
 275, 382 ; Blaza, 382 ; Bjodgclt, 102 ; Board- 
 man, 514; Bolionon,409; Bond, 204; Boyes, 
 40; Br-dilslreel, 65, 08; Brigliara, 74, 202; 
 Brougham, 10 ; Brown, 199, 294, 358, 405 ; 
 Buell, 467; Bugbee, SOO ; Bunker. 4S5 ; 
 Bunsen, 11; Burnham, 286, 500; Bush, 
 Prof, 539. 
 
 Call, 409; Callwell, 272; Carlton, 310, 
 409; (Carpenter. 295; Cliamberlain, Prol'., 
 ,537; Chandler, 199; Chapin, 469 ; Chase, 
 191, 192, 443; Cheever, 530; Choate, 531; 
 Cilley, 114; Claggett, 190, 191; Clark, 194, 
 
 276, .528, 570; ClifTord, 473; Clough, 508; 
 Colby, 202, 359, 400; Cole, 216, 471; Co- 
 nant, 564 ; Cooper, 446 ; Cotton, 72 ; Cram, 
 126, 405 ; Cranfield, 1 19 ; Cromwell, 66, 210 ; 
 Crosby, 202, 344, 494 ; Cross, 409 ; Cuniss, 
 542 ; Cutler, 239. 
 
 Daniels, 275; Darling, 508 ; Davis, 530 ; 
 Deering, 162; Dewey, 533; Dow, 18, 63, 
 133; Drake, 569; Dudley, 47, 494. 
 
 Eastman. 409; Emerson, 96, 481 ; Eme- 
 ry, 508 ; Evans. 518. 
 
 Farmer, 199, 200, 334, 402, 490 ; Farns- 
 worth,2.12; Farrar, 79, 269 ; Farwell, 474 ; 
 Fay, 242. 250; Fellows, 347; Fifield, 531 ; 
 Fisher, 275,276; Flint, 564 ; Fletcher, 515; 
 Fogg, 126; Ford, 653; Foster. 56, 276, 542 ; 
 Franklin, 327, 564; Freeman, 542; French, 
 405, 494, 495; Frost, 84, 97; Fuller, 277, 
 633 ; Furgerson, 430. 
 
 Gage, 237 ; Gates, 180 ; Gerrish, 355 ; Gil- 
 bert, IS, 263 ; Gilrnan, 490, 494 ; Goodwin, 
 .56 ; Gookin, 107 ; Gould, 547 ; Greenlcaf, 
 56: (irindle, 447; Grover, IS. 
 
 Hale, 18 ; Hall, 275, 276, 279, 307, 320 ; 
 Hammond, 294; Harris, 269; Hayward, 
 293; Healey, 75; Hemphill, 144 ; Hill, 160; 
 Hilton, 9, 13, 317; Hinsdale, 270; Hobbs, 
 150; Holmes. .MO; Holmes & Homer, 530 ; 
 Holt, 177 ; Howard, 216 ; Howlelt, 279 ; 
 Hull, 446; Huntington, 52; Hurd, 489; 
 Huse, 5 19 ; Hussey, 03, 133 ; Hutchinson, 
 66. 
 
 Ingalls, 358. 
 
 .Jackson, 528 ; James, 400 ; Jaquitb, 344 ; 
 Jewett, 500 ; Jones, 275, 474. 
 
 Kellogg, 537; Kendrick, 542 ; Kent, .368; 
 Kilbourne, 550; Kilburn, 355; Kimball, 
 200,325, 404,5:!8; Kingsbury, 278, 279, 449 ; 
 Kittredgc, 226, 519 ; Knight, 18; Knox, 147. 
 
 Ladd, 474 ; Lamberl, 570 ; Lampson, 150 ; 
 
 , Lancaster, 199 ; Lane, 229, 508 ; Lang, 447 ; 
 i Lawrence, 500 ; Lavitt, 502; Lcman, 150 ; 
 I Lewis, 606 ; Libbey, 408, 657 ; Little, 355 ; 
 Locke, 260 ; Lydston, 192 ; Lyford, 500. 
 
 .Marsten, 570; McCrillis, 591; McClar)-, 
 382; McCoy, 382; McDearmid, 674; Mc- 
 Lallan, 574 ; Mack, 495 ; McNeil, 272 ; Mar- 
 tin, 119; Mason, 9, 506; Maynard, 241; 
 j Means, 73, 202 ; Maloon, 409 ; .Melvin, 547 ; 
 I Merrick, 506 ; Merrill, 18, 132, 205 ; Miller, 
 ' 566 ; Moody, 202 ; Moore, 242 ; Morrill, 130 ; 
 Morse, 255, 260 ; Moulton, 508. 
 
 Nason, 325 ; Neal, 10, 59 ; Newell, 284 ; 
 Nims, 276 ; Noyes, 199, 283, 469. 
 
 Odlin,48. 
 
 Packer, 2&3; Page, IS, 494, 495 ; Palmer, 
 135, 136 ; Parker, 191, 192 ; Partridge, 279 ; 
 Paitcn, 204 ; Peabody, .537 ; Peirce, ?3, 121 ; 
 Peppercll, 54, 95 ; Perkins, 406 ; Perry, 430 ; 
 Petlengill, 409; Philbrick, 133; Phillips, 
 366 ; Pickering, 79 ; Pierce, 73 ; Pike, 345 ; 
 Pillsbury, 355, 625 ; Finkerlon, 93 ; Pinneo, 
 542 ; Pitman, 483 ; Porter, 554 ; Powers, 
 185; Preseott, 95; Priest, 273; Pulsifer, 
 518 ; Putnam, 409. 
 
 Quiney, 321. 
 
 Rand, 447; Read, 191 ; Rice, 569 ; Rich- 
 ardson, 26", 275 ; Roberts, 500 ; Robinson, 
 278,503; Rogers, 50 ; Rolfe, 373 ; Rollins, 
 407 ; Roundy, 460 ; Rowell, 373 ; Runnels, 
 373. 
 
 Safford, 475 ; Sanborn, 84, 67, 491, 500, 
 501, 5U8; Sandeman, 107; Savage, 177; 
 Senter, 486; Severance, 432 ; Shurlleff, 4:3, 
 96; Silsby, 419; Simmons, 204 ; Sleeper, 
 83 ; Smiley, 273 ; Smith, 53, 59, 60, 87, 101, 
 117, 329,334, 471, 537, 542; Sprogue, 258; 
 Stanley, 272, 273 ; Stearns, 45 ; Stephens, 
 56 ; Stevens, 432, 409, 500 ; Stewart, 344 ; 
 Stiles, 150; Stoddard, 290 ; Sullivan, 290 ; 
 Sumner, 263; Swain, 500; Sweatt, 355; 
 Swift, 569; Svmms, 307. 
 
 Tasker, 481'; Taylor, .527; Temple, 13; 
 Thompson, 9, 172, 516 , Thurston, 474 ; Til- 
 den, 580 ; Tdton,503; Townc, 150 ; Tufts, 
 190; Turell, 95; Tyng, 55. 
 
 Underwood, 191 ; Upham, 434, 
 
 Vose, 18, 241. 
 
 Waldron, 96, 320, 325 ; Walker, 286, .360 ; 
 Ward, 216; Warren 537; Washburn, 241 ; 
 Waterbouse, 49; Weare, 76 ; Webster, 84, 
 409; Wellman, 194; Wenlworth, 17, 45, 
 130, 162, 165, 428, 470, 550 ; Wheeler, 432 ; 
 Whitaker, 382 ; Whitcher, 126 ; Whitcomb, 
 432, 435; White, 96, 269; Whiting, 317; 
 Whittemore, 177 ; Wiggin. 1.39, 357 ; Wil- 
 cox, 469; Wilder, 279; Willaid, 121, 254, 
 306,307; Willey, 522; Willys, 317; Wil- 
 son, 147, 276; Winthrop, (printed Wenl- 
 worth.) 13; Wood, 579; Woodbury, 215, 
 216, 327 ; Wright, 642. 
 
 Young, 325. 
 
MISCELLANEOUS INDEX. 
 
 A blameless miiiister 33S 
 Academy, early 145 
 
 A church saved 195 
 
 disfellowshipped 439 
 
 in their right mind 442 
 
 Action of town on the 
 
 death ufliieir pastor 194 
 A father's advice 110 
 
 Affection for the Cove- 
 nant 91S 
 "All is well" 352 
 Anecdote, of singing 94 
 of Dr. McGregore 157 
 ''no quarrel with the 
 
 gospel " 159 
 
 of the chaise and min- 
 ister 19-1 
 of John Cromwell 210 
 of temperance 220 
 of stoves in the church 220 
 of the man who paid 
 
 $S for preaching 312 
 " and with Washmg- 
 
 tontoo" 3G8 
 
 of the minister who 
 preached " without 
 pay" 478 
 
 of sectarian feeling 479 
 of Mr. Potter 552 
 
 A people "under infidel 
 
 influences 453 
 
 Arminian 8G, 184 
 
 ministers 309 
 
 Arminianism 363, 376 
 
 Articles of faith 369 
 
 A thrilling scene 251 
 
 Associational inquiry 
 
 meeting 330 
 
 Baptism, change of views 
 
 218, 223 
 Baptists first church 15 
 
 Bass-viol, incident 142 
 
 Bible buried 294 
 
 lost 527 
 
 Blessing according to 
 
 effort 219 
 
 and faithfulness 227 
 
 Burning of a pastor's 
 
 house 173 
 
 Burying place, first 414 
 
 Business easy in a revi- 
 val 351 
 Cage for sleepers in 
 
 meeting 118 
 
 Candidates, one hundred 20 
 
 Cases of interest 454, 480 
 
 Catechism 91, 357 
 
 Chaplain at Bunker Hill 59 
 
 Character of first settlers 9 
 
 of Mr. Farrar 232 
 
 Children and covenant 470 
 
 Church, almost half the 
 
 population in 521 
 
 broken up 506 
 
 primitive 11 
 
 independent 39 
 
 first Presbyterian in 
 
 N. E. 3D 
 
 "must have struggles" 105 
 steadfast ^ 285 
 
 Civil compact 47 
 
 Class meetings 374 
 
 Colleague 152 
 
 " College-learned man " 593 
 Colony 226 
 
 Combination 86 
 
 Communicants, many 39 
 Complaint, letter of 31 
 
 Congregational, church- 
 es first five 15 
 singing 94 
 society, ends of, defined 
 
 200 
 Consociaie church 403 
 
 Come-out-ism 155, 231, 522 
 Controversy 154 
 
 Co-operation with the 
 
 existing church 401 
 
 Council for reconciliation 51 
 in case of Rev. T.Wor- 
 cester 411 
 Covenant, renewed 85 
 form of 215, 505 
 without articles 436 
 Currency, troubles of 
 
 72, 90, 272 
 Daily concert, revival 264 
 Dangers in early settle- 
 ments 340 
 Dark times and better 
 
 times 523 
 
 Dartmouth College, re- 
 vivals in 535 
 Day of small things 151 
 Deacons, helpers 199 
 Debt, embarrassing 101 
 paid and a revival 224 
 cancelled 266 
 "Detest" 188 
 Difficulties in church 350 
 Discipline, Bradstreet 31 
 Dismission, cause and 
 
 consequence 214 
 
 for unfaithfulness 280 
 
 Distinctive doctrines pro- 
 claimed 310 
 Division 89 
 Doable consciousness 145 
 " Down with the church"221 
 Early settlers, character 
 
 of 601 
 
 Earthquake, presentiment 
 
 of 69 
 
 "Elective Affinity" 52 
 
 Extempore sermon 480 
 
 Episcopalian, first chapel 15 
 
 Epitaph 55,76,77,97, 108, 
 
 T45 
 
 Extinct churches 35, 88, 132, 
 
 135, 164, 242, 244, 283, 
 
 506, 509 
 
 Facts, affecting 352 
 
 Fast Sn, 231,307,303,410 
 resolutions at 85, 93 
 
 repeated and revival 524 
 Feelings of a minister 
 
 before a revival 233, 351 
 
 Female preacher 173 
 
 Fifty years ago 215 
 
 First house in State 9 
 
 sermon in Derry 33 
 
 meetings in Manchester 
 
 198 
 Five pounds for town 
 
 expenses, &c. 340 
 
 Flock in the forest 340 
 
 Forms of worship 11 
 
 Free chapel 205 
 
 Freewill Baptists 15 
 
 Funds, perversion of 257 
 Funeral of Mr, Bradtord 230 
 Generous donation 91 
 
 Good deacon, family blest 
 
 373 
 
 Great Awakening M, 41, 50, 
 
 93 
 
 testimony for 55, MO 
 
 Great revival 207 
 
 Great sacrifices 21 
 
 Half-wav covenant 85, 235 
 
 defined 126 
 
 how disposed of 167, 322 
 
 Happy death 182 
 
 House burned 326, 345 
 
 Idle persons " set lo 
 
 work" 405 
 
 Immigration 12 
 
 motives for 12, 95 
 
 three elements in 12-14 
 Imprisonment of Wheel- 
 wright 69 
 Improvement 110, 143 
 Infant baptism 37 
 rejection of overruled 225 
 Influence of a few 104 
 of Abner Kneeland 253 
 Intemperance, 40 hogs- 
 heads " 110 
 source of difficult)'- 175 
 expenses of 343 
 public honses 395 
 Interesting extract 459 
 fact 510 
 Kneeland's paper and 
 
 influence 453 
 
 Labor no loss 219 
 
 Last words 120 
 
 Last member 135 
 
 Lawlessness 350 
 
 Learned profea.sions 18 
 
 Legacy 362 
 
 Letter 13 
 
 Liberal offer 110 
 
 preaching 298 
 
 Liberty, attachment lo 45 
 Lord^s Supper, how cel- 
 ebrated 94 
 
624 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS INDEX. 
 
 abuse of llSr 
 
 Love of country 179 
 
 Macfisiraics, early 9 
 
 MaiiuUicluring popula- 
 
 lioii 269 
 
 Maternal Association 354 
 
 Meetins:-liouse, first creci- 
 
 ei} ill Stale 15 
 
 taken away 161 
 
 and baule of BLiiiker 
 
 hill 273 
 
 burned 345 
 
 S45,(1(J(J for building, 
 and ram and supper 
 at raisino; 394 
 
 of lo^s iiO years 36T 
 
 Meetincr^ f'Jr conference 118 
 Members, removed not 
 
 lost 346 
 
 Men seifded to settle Con- 
 cord 366 
 Methodist E, Church 15 
 '^ standing order" 137 
 Ministerial experience 183 
 ordination '' on a Tuck "' 
 
 590 
 
 patience 351 
 
 qualifications 517 
 
 lax equal to all others 6>J3 
 
 Minister?:, widows of no 
 
 home 214 
 
 indicted 58^^ 
 
 pensifin for 215 
 
 if dismissed, what was 
 
 supposed 215 
 
 impriscMied 229 
 
 funiiished by Dartmouth 
 
 Colieg^e 537 
 
 but 10 revivals in Stale 552 
 Ministry renounced and 
 
 denounced 521 
 
 Mission church 2(J5 
 
 Mixed church f^nvern- 
 
 ment 349, 419, 444 
 
 Model pastor 43 
 
 Mournings ring: 57 
 
 News from Boston 475 
 
 No man lor the " profes- 
 sions" 201 
 No misunderstanding 37L 
 " Not one straw less " 456 
 Object of the emigrants 
 
 at Plymouth 9 
 
 at the Piscataqua 12 
 
 Old Nnrlli jMeetniy-house 
 
 117 
 Oldest Pastor 273 
 
 " One often " HO 
 
 One hundred students 353 
 One more praycr-inect- 
 
 in- 195 
 
 Only male member 85 
 
 Ordinaiioii, sermon first 
 
 at H. 70 
 
 and martial music 215 
 
 Ox-sleds and golwg:, to 
 
 churcli 21G, 410 
 
 Paralysis 402 
 
 Parishes united 41 
 
 Parity of ministers 10 
 
 Parsonage, sold by town 129 
 
 the efiect of 214 
 
 Pastor, reception of 38 
 
 and teacher 64 
 
 his salary, "ruin to the 
 
 town " 71 
 
 benefits of a permanent 112 
 
 dismissed, a helper 356 
 Pastoral visit and revi- 
 val 524 
 Pastorate, long )00 
 Patient waiting 351 
 Peculiar juncture 431 
 interposition 432 
 Piscataqua, anecdote 12 15 
 Population, three elements 
 
 in 13 
 
 Prayer-mccling:, week- 
 ly church 169 
 at sunrise 2i9 
 " Prayers and liquor" 291 
 Preaching without notes 
 
 234,321, 480 
 against salaries 478 
 
 Prelude of a revival 362 
 
 Piesbvterians from N 
 
 Ireland 14,28 
 
 church given up 19, 163 
 Presbytery, Bosioii, Sa- 
 lem 133, 156 
 Preservation of one of 
 the old i\leeting-hou- 
 ses 130 
 Primitive church 1\ 
 Proportion of christians 
 
 to population 311 
 
 Protest _ 312 
 
 Pi(.)tracted meetings 219, 
 370, 379, 594 
 series of 364,384,397 
 
 Provision for pastors 30 
 
 Public worship not sus- 
 pended 371 
 absence Irorn disrepu- 
 table 543 
 Pulpit, how made 539 
 Puritans, Brougham's 
 
 opinion of 9 10 
 
 care for children 10 
 
 faith 387 
 
 Quakers, first in Stale 15 
 
 Question uf removal 230 
 
 Reconciliation, case of 362 
 
 Retraction 523 
 
 Rise ofdenominations 15 
 
 Reviva!s,l4, 26, 38, 43,97,103, 
 
 127, 146, 154,223,230, 
 
 235, 264, 292, 302, 303, 
 
 313,333,348,373,392, 
 
 403,408, 411,426,442, 
 
 442, 445, 457, 482, 483, 
 
 489, 493, 507, 549, h89, 
 
 594, 599 
 
 great 593 
 
 descripiionoflll, 195,203, 
 
 218, 126,310,329,337, 
 
 343, :^5],358, 364,377, 
 
 378, 38S, 395, 397, 458, 
 
 497,490,507,511,519. 
 
 520, 535 
 
 at the beginning uf this 
 
 century 309 
 
 remarkable 2^32,310, 311, 
 370, 421,430,437,468 
 effect on a minister 218, 
 251 
 ten under one minis- 
 try 286 
 wiihout a pastor 543, 514 
 Rising generation (^|o 
 Roads and meetings 341 
 Rules of church 356 
 Rum provided 518 
 
 Sabbath School, inter- 
 esting fact 223 
 account of revival in 227 
 Satan's seat 3GC 
 Salary, for minister's fam- 
 ily 97 
 " four times double " 107 
 " forty for one " lOS 
 released in part 109 
 on paper 174 
 paid regularly 287 
 Schism, alleged 303 
 Schools established late 201 
 Seats in M. H. assigned G9, 
 139 
 Setllemji:nt of the State 9 
 grant and incorpora- 
 tion of towns, date 
 of 229 
 Sewing circles and so- 
 cial gatherings 204 
 Shakers 15 
 Singers^ Mr. Sprague's 
 
 saying to 257 
 
 Solemn Assembly 380 
 
 Slaveholders excluded 220, 
 
 3(H 
 
 Slavery, discussion of 19 
 
 a sin 354 
 
 measures against 364 
 
 Special means 390 
 
 Slate of the churches 110 
 
 Stated reading meeting 265 
 
 Sudden death 3lG 
 
 Support of gospel, a duty 356 
 
 Surveyors and a chaplain366 
 
 Talk with one person 
 
 each day 536 
 
 Temperance 91 
 
 special message 92 
 
 resolutions upon 163, 469 
 
 youth ignorant 220 
 
 test of admission 354 
 
 incidents 91, 92 
 
 Temple and Goodale 536 
 
 The gospel prized 452 
 
 Theological Instimte 507 
 
 Thirty five years a S. S. 
 
 teacher 227 
 
 Times of trial 110 
 
 " Tokens " at Commun- 
 ion 94 
 Toleration Act 303 
 Tories 156 
 Tornado 295 
 Town voting to form a 
 
 church 14!?i 
 
 Trials of Mr. Bradstreel 31 
 
 of Mr. Moody 319 
 
 of Mj. Leslie 475 
 
 of Campion church 521 
 
 Twenty four years — and 
 
 fiftv five 352 
 
 Union 'wiih Ms. 0, 12 
 
 Urim and Thummim 148 
 War of Revolution, its 
 
 effects 342 
 
 AVell managed churrli 203 
 Whilefield and Randall 333 
 AVomen, praying 172 
 
 Young people and elec- 
 tion day 234 
 Young woman, conver- 
 sion of 103 
 man overwhelmed 3Go 
 men .$ 1 each 395 
 lady, benevolent 516 
 
If ■^— yr.^ryr' T '*^ '} '''!' ' **^^'' 'f-^lf^^tr ^ 
 
 syas!'